51     8 


REMARKS 


o  N 


THE   AMERICAN 


UNIVERSAL  GEOGRAPHY. 


BY       J. 


PRINTED  AT  THE   3poH0  $«&,    IN    BOSTON, 

BY  BELKNAP  AND  HALL, 
Sold  at  their  Office,  No.  8,  Dock  Square.     1793. 


REMARKS,  &c. 


JLJL.  NEW  edition  of  Mr.  Morfe's  Geogra- 
phy has  lately  been  publimed,  under  the  title  of  The 
American  Univerfal  Geography ;  in  which  the  author 
profefles  to  fupply  the  deficiencies,  to  correct  the  errours, 
and  to  meliorate  the  offenfive  pafiages,  of  the  former 
edition.  Relying  upon  the  author's  promife,  I  eagerly 
purchased  the  work.  I  have  read  it  with  attention  ;  but 
I  confefs,  I  am  difappointed  in  my  expectations.  Though 
there  are  in  it  many  things,  which  are  entitled  to  praife; 
and  it  is  undoubtedly  an  improvement  upon  the  Ameri- 
can Geography  ;  yet  truth  compels  me  to  fjy,  that  it  is 
Hill,  in  feveral  refpetts,  inaccurate,  hafty,  and  partial. 

With  pleafure  I  fpecify  the  improvements  which  h<ive 
been  made  ;  and  they  are  principally  the  following. — 
The  Introduction  is  enlarged,  and  appears  to  have  been 
revifed  with  care.  Some  ufeful  additions  have  been 
made  to  the  General  Defcription  of  America.  The 
Natural  Hiftory  of  the  United  States  is  greatly  improved. 
Since  the  publication  cf  the  American  Geography,  fev- 
eral valuable  topographical  works  have  appeared  :  among 
which  ought  to  be  particularly  mentioned,  Dr.  Belknap's 
third  volume  of  the  Hiftory  of  New-Hampfhire;  a  de- 
fcription  of  the  ftate  of  Delaware  by  Mr.  Miller  ;  Mr. 


4  REMARKS  ON   THE    AMERICAN 

W.'s  defcription  of  Cape  Cod  ;  Mr.  T.'s,  of  the  county 
of  EfTex  ;  and  Mr.  Apthorp's,  of  Surrinam.  Thefe 
works  have  enabled  Mr.  M.  to  give  more  correft  ac- 
counts of  the  feveral  countries  which  theydefcribe.  He 
has  alio  received  many  private  communications,  {ome  of 
•which  are  important.  It  is  no  more  than  juflice  to  the 
American  Geographer  to  allow,  that  though  his  work 
cannot  always  be  depended  upon  as  a  fafe  guide,  yet  that 
it  is  frequently  inftruclive,  and  generally  entertaining. 
Mr.  M.  deferves  commendation,  not  only  for  his  addi- 
tions, but  alfo  for  fome  of  his  omiffions.  The  plan  of 
omitting  the  hiflory  of  the  feparate  ftates,  appears  to  me 
judicious.  Within  the  limits  of  a  geographical  gram- 
mar, it  is  impoffible  to  communicate  to  the  reader  any 
thing  more,  than  a  very  imperfect  idea  of  the  hiflory  of 
a  ilate.  Mr.  M.  therefore,  in  general,  very  properly 
refeis  to  thofe  authors,  from  whom,  in  his  opinion,  the 
mofl  complete  information  can  be  obtained. 

I  could  applaud  many  other  things  in  Mr.  M.'s  book, 
if  I  conceived  that  it  would  be  of  any  benefit  to  ilie 
publick.  But  of  praife,  as  well  from  Englifh  leviewers, 
as  from  his  own  countrymen,  the  author  has  already  re- 
ceived a  very  liberal  portion.  The  rapid  fale  of  at  leaft 
fix  editions  of  his  Geography*  in  various  forms,  affords 
the  moft  fubflantial  proof,  that  the  work  has  met  with  a 
favourable  reception.  It  is  not  in  my  power,  if  it  were 
in  my  intention,  to  impede  its  circulation,  or  to  injure 
the  reputation  of  its  author.  The  publick  rcu ft  be  the 
beft  judge  of  the  merit  of  a  book  ;  and  to  its  decifions  I 
am  difpofed  to  fubmit. 

To  me  it  appears  a  more  ufeful,  though  a  lefs  pleafing 
tafk,  to  point  out  theerrcurs,  than  to  extol  theex.cellen- 


UNIVERSAL    GEOGRAPHY.  5 

ces,  of  the  Univesfal  Geography.  Without  profeflir.g 
much  acquaintance  with  the  geography  of  America,  I 
will  venture  to  make  a  few  obfervations ;  which,  I  hope, 
will  induce  thofe  who  pofiefs  better  information,  to  enter 
into  a  more  complete  examination  of  the  fubjecl.  Such 
an  examination  will  enable  Mr.  M.  to  render  the  future 
editions  of  his  work  more  correct  and  per  feel: ;  and  with 
this  the  author  himfeH  ought  not  to  be  difpleafed. 

The  objections  which  1  have  to  make  againft  Mr. 
M.'s  Geography,  are  the  following: — A  want  of  uni- 
formity in  his  method  and  plan — Inconfiftencies  and 
contradictions — Inaccurate  maps — Want  of  judgment  in 
felecling  his  materials  and  authorities — Local,  profef- 
fional,  and  religious  prejudices — Appearances  of  hafte 
and  careleflhefs — Miilakes  and  omiffions. 

Some  geographers,  in  defcribing  countries,  begin  at 
the  north ;  and  others,  at  the  fouth.  Mr.  M.  adopts 
the  former  method ;  but  he  does  not  (hiftly  adhere  to 
it.  Cape  Breton,  St.  John's,  and  Nova  Scotia,  are  plac- 
ed before  Newfoundland  ;  Vermont,  before  New  Hamp- 
fhire  ;  and  New  Karnpfhire,  before  the  diflricl  of  Maine. 
Some  may  think  this  of  little  importance ;  but  when  a 
correcl  arrangement  requires  no  more  pains  than  a  con- 
fufed  one,  it  ought  to  be  obferved. 

Another  part  of  his  plan  is  adopting  Philadelphia  as 
his  fir  ft  meiidian.  It  is  to  be  regretted,  that  Mr.  M. 
(hould  rejecl  the  Royal  Obfervatory  at  Greenwich,  with 
which  moft  men  of  fcicnce  in  America  are  familiar.  His 
intention  may  be  to  compliment  the  capital  of  the  Unit- 
ed States.  But  whilft  Philadelphia  continues  the  firft 
city  in  America  lor  popv.loufnefs  and  wealth,  it  can  de- 
rive little  honour  from  being  the  beginning  of  longitude. 
An  innovation  here  is  like  an  inncvstion  in  language: 


REMARKS  ON  THE   AMERICAN 

It  is  of  no  confequence  where  the  firft  meridian  is,  pro- 
vided  it  be  fixed  and  in  general  ufe.  A  firft  meridian 
ought  to  be  a  precife  point.  But  Philadelphia  is  an  ex- 
tenfive  city  ;  and  Mr.  M.  has  not  informed  as,  irom  what 
part  of  it  he  reckons.  Add  to  this,  that  it  is  convenient 
to  have  the  beginning  of  longitude,  either  to  the  eaft  or 
weft  of  every  part  of  America ;  for  by  this  means  many 
fuperfluous  words  are  faved.  But  whether  Mr.  M.'s 
plan  be  good  or  not,  he  frequently  deviates  from  it.  For 
befide  Philadelphia,  he  has  three  other  firft  meridians ; 
Wafhington,  London,  and  the  Obfervatory  at  Green- 
wich. 

I  have  commended  Mr.  M.  for  omitting  the  particular 
hiftory  of  the  ftates.  But  in  this  he  is  not  uniform.  He 
has  detailed  the  affairs  of  Connecticut  and  Pennfylvania, 
becaufe  there  are  no  printed  hiftories  to  which  he  can  re- 
fer. But  of  Rhode  Ifland,  a  very  good  account  can  be 
found  in  the  Century  Sermon  of  Mr.  Callender;  a  name 
entitled  to  a  place  in  Mr.  M.'s  catalogue  of  eminent  men. 
The  Geographer  appears  to  have  borrowed  fome  things 
from  this  fermon,  but  without  acknowledging  his  obliga- 
tions. 

Lifts  of  governours  may  very  properly  be  admitted 
into  a  geographical  work.  I  thank  Mr.  M.  for  thofe 
which  he  has  given  ;  and  hope  that  in  his  next  edition, 
he  will  endeavour  to  collecl  the  names  of  the  governours 
of  the  ftates,  which  he  has  omitted.  This  can  eafily  be 
done  with  refpecl  to  New  Hampfhire,  MafTachufetts, 
and  Rhode  Ifland,  as  lifts  of  the  governours  of  thefe 
itates  have  frequently  been  publiftied.  As  he  has  feen 
fit  to  infert  the  governours  of  New  Haven,  perhaps  he 
may  think  proper  to  add  thofe  of  Plymouth.  If  he 
would  avoid  the  charge  of  partiality,  he  ought  alfo  to 


UNIVERSAL    GEOGRAPHY.  7 

give  the  names  of  the  prefidents  of  other  colleges  in  the 
United  States,  as  well  as  thofe  of  Yale  and  Naflau. 

In  defcribing  countries,  it  appears  to  be  Mr.  M.'s  plan, 
in  his  firft  volume,  to  give  as  the  length  and  breadth  of 
any  ftate,  two  numbers,  which,  multiplied  together,  pro- 
duce the  contents.  Thefe  numbers  are  either  obtained 
by  calculation,  or  arbitrarily  a  {Turned ;  and  for  the  moft 
part  are  very  erroneous.  Thus  he  fays,  that  the  length  of 
Connecticut  is  eighty  two  miles,  which,  according  to  his 
own  account,  cannot  be  true  ;  for  its  length  muft  be 
either  its  north  or  fouth  line,  neither  of  which  is  eighty 
two  miles.  The  breadth  of  a  ftate,  upon  his  plan,  is  the 
quotient  of  the  number  of  fquare  miles  divided  by  the 
length.  Thus  he  fays,  that  the  breadth  of  Connecticut 
is  fifty  feven  miles,  which  cannot  be  the  breadth  except 
in  one  part  of  the  ftate.  What  geographers  mean  by  the 
length  and  breadth  of  a  country,  is  the  longeft  and  broad- 
eft  part.  This  method,  which  appears  to  me  the  beft,  is 
not  intended  to  convey  a  perfect  idea  of  the  dimenfions 
of  a  territory,  which  is  done  by  fpecifying  the  number 
of  fquare  miles.  The  form  of  a  ftate  may  be  made 
known  by  a  more  particular  defcription,  which  need  not 
employ  many  words. — Mr.  M.'s  plan,  however,  excep- 
tionable as  it  is,  would  be  lefs  confufed,  if  he  uniformly 
adhered  to  it.  But  he  frequently  deviates  from  it,  with- 
out giving  notice  to  the  reader.  The  length  of  Mafla- 
chufetts,  he  fays,  is  a  hundred  and  twenty  five  miles; 
and  the  breadth,  fifty ;  and  the  fquare  miles,  fix  thoufand, 
two  hundred,  and  fifty.  "  Rhode  Ifland  is  in  length,  fix- 
ty  eight  miles ;  and  in  breadth,  forty  ;"  the  product  of 
which  is  two  thoufand,  feven  hundred,  and  twenty  fquare 
miles.  The  uninftrucled  reader  therefore  would  fup- 
pofe,  that  Rhode  Ifland  is  above  three  fevenths  of  the 


8  REMARKS  ON   THE   AMERICAN 

fize  of  Maflachufetts ;  when  the  fa£l  is,  that  it  is  not  as 
large  as  the  county  of  Worcefter. — In  New  York  and 
moft  of  the  flates  fouth  of  it,  it  is  not  eafy  to  fay,  what 
plan  Mr.  M.  has  followed. 

Mr.  M.'s  American  Geography  contained  two  maps. 
They  have  been  increafed,  he  fays,  in  the  prefent  edition, 
"  from  two  to  eleven  :"  ten,  he  means,  for  I  cannot 
find  more  in  both  his  volumes.  Of  thefe  maps,  four 
only  are  of  the  United  States.  The  two  larger  maps, 
which  are  fcarcely  legible,  appear  to  be  printed  from  the 
worn  out  plates  of  the  former  edition.  "  The  map  of 
the  Southern  States,  Mr.  M.  afTerts,  is  the  moft  accu- 
rate yet  publifhed  refpefcling  that  country,  on  fo  final  I  a 
fcale."*  I  fhall  not  prefume  to  contradicl  him.  But 
the  map  of  the  Northern  and  Middle  States  is  one  of  the 
mod  inaccurate,  which  has  ever  been  publifhed  upon 
any  fcale.  To  mention  fome  of  its  blunders  by  way  of, 
fpecimen  :  The  Sandy  Point  of  Nantucket  almoft  touch- 
es the  Sandy  Point  of  Chatham.  Blackftone  river  rifes 
near  the  fouth  line  of  New  Hampfhire,  many  miles  north 
of  Worcefter.  Cambridge  is  fouth  weft  from  Bofton. 
New  Hampfhire  extends  no  further  than  the  latitude  45°. 
Falmouth  is  at  a  great  diftance  fouth  weft  from  Cafco 
bay,  which  appears  to  be  nothing  but  the  mouth  of  Roy- 
al's river.  This  river  is  longer  than  Saco  river.  Cape 
Elizabeth  does  not  form  the  fouth  point  of  Cafco  bay, 
but  is  placed  above  forty  miles  fouth  weft  from  it.  The 
river  Amerifcoggin  rifes  in  the  county  of  Cumberland, 
about  the  latitude  46°,  and  runs  nearly  a  fouth  courfe. 
Penobfcot  bay  is  laid  down  in  the  latitude  45°. 

The  map  of  the  diftricl:  of  Maine  is  more  correftly 
drawn.  But  it  is  defective,  in  laying  down  no  iflands 

*  Am.  Geog.  Pref.  p.  vii. 


in  Cafco  bay,  and  in  omitting  feveral  rivers,  which  there 
is  room  to  infert.  Of  Falmouth  river,  which,  according 
to  the  map,  runs  into  Cafco  bay,  I  have  never  before 
heard.  The  true  name  of  this  river  is  Prefumfcut, 
which  appears  by  the  map  to  be  the  name  of  a  town. 
Prefumfcut  river  originates  from  Sebacook  lake,  and 
not  from  Tobago  pond,  which  has  no  exiftence.  Seba- 
cook lake,  according  to  Mr.  M.  is  the  fource  of  a  river 
which  runs  into  the  Amerifcoggin. 

Both  in  this  map,  and  in  that  of  Pennfylvania,  the 
rivers  are  made  difproportionably  wide;  and  there  are 
few.  names  of  places.  In  the  latter  map,  there  are  fome 
(hades,  which  are  probably  intended  for  mountains,  but 
they  bear  a  much  greater  refemblance  to  meadows. 
The  degrees  of  latitude  are  irregularly  placed ;  fo  as  not 
to  correfpond  with  each  other  on  the  oppofite  fides  of 
the  map.  And  the  fcale  of  miles  is  fo  inaccurate,  that, 
meafuring  by  it,  Pennfylvania  is  above  four  hundred 
miles  in  length,  and  above  two  hundred,  in  breadth. 

Upon  the  whole,  Mr.  M.'s  four  maps  do  no  honour 
to  his  work,  nor  to  the  country  in  which  it  is  publifhed. 
The  profit  which  he  derived  from  the  fale  of  his  Geogra- 
phy, gave  the  publick  a  right  to  expeft,  that  he  mould, 
in  his  new  edition,  furnifh  at  leaft  eight  maps  of  the 
different  parts  of  the  United  States. 

Another  thing  in  which  Mr.  M.  is  peculiarly  unfor- 
tunate, is  his  want  of  judgment  in  fele&ing  his  materials 
and  authorities.  It  would  be  endlefs  to  point  out  the 
miftakes,  into  which  this  has  led  him.  He  feems  in 
general,  to  adopt  the  accounts  of  his  correfpondents  and 
living  authorities,  without  further  inquiry,  or  critical 
difcrimi nation.  Of  deceafed  authors,  Douglafs  appears 
to  be  one,  upon  whom  he  greatly  depends.  But  every 
B 


1O  REMARKS   ON    THE    AMERICAN 

man,  who  is  acquainted  with  Douglafs's  writings,  knows 
that  he  is  not  an  authority.  Not  to  mention  that  he 
wrote  at  a  time,  when  the  geography  of  the  Britifh  col- 
onies was  imperfeftly  undei  flood,  he  was  too  carelefs 
and  impatient,  and  too  full  of  prejudice  and  difdain,  to 
be  impartial  and  correcl.  There  are  undoubtedly  many 
truths  in  his  two  volumes ;  but  they  are  lo  blended  with 
falfehoods,  that  it  is  a  laborious  talk  to  feparate  them; 
and  it  can  feldom  be  done,  without  having  recourfe  to 
other  authors.  Governour  Hutchinfon,  in  his  Hiftory 
of  Maffachufetts,  has  pointed  out  many  miftakes  in 
Douglafs's  Summary  :  and  Dr.  May  hew,  if  I  rnillake 
not,  once  made  a  publick  apology,  for  quoting  him  as 
an  authentick  writer. 

An  author,  who  like  Mr.  M.  folicits  information  from 
all  quarters,  will  probably  receive  many  trifling  and  er- 
roneous accounts.  But  uninfluenced  by  the  motives  of 
complaifance  and  gratitude  to  the  waters,  his  duty  to 
the  publick  requires  that  he  fhould  reject  them.  To  this 
obligation,  I  believe,  Mr.  M.  has  not  paid  much  atten- 
tion. Frotn  other  glaring  examples,  I  will  felecl  the 
character  that  he  has  given  of  the  inhabitants  of  Bermu- 
das ;  which,  he  fays,  was  fent  to  him  by  an  intelligent 
gentleman,  who  had  refided  there  a  number  of  years. 
The  Bermudians  have  been  characterized  by  thofe  who 
have  vifited  them,  as  a  fimple,  artlefs,  and  indullrious 
people,  unpolifhed  in  their  manners,  uncontarninated  in 
general  with  the  vices  which  prevail  in  large  focieties, 
hofpitable  to  ftrangers,  and  humane  to  their  flaves.  But 
fee  in  what  a  ridiculous  light  Mr.  M.'s  correfpondent  en- 
deavours to  place  them.  (Vol.  I,  p.  676.)  "  However 
induftrious  the  men  are  abroad,  at  home  they  are  indo- 
lent ;  much  given,  particularly  of  late,  to  gaming  and 


UNIVERSAL    GEOGRAPHY.  II 

luxury.  The  women -are  generally  handfome  and  come- 
ly ;  they  love  their  hufbands,  their  children,  and  their 
drefs.  Dancing  is  their  favourite  amufement.  The 
men  muft  be  equipped  in  tafle,  when  they  appear  in 
company,  mould  they  not  have  a  dollar  in  the  pound  to 
pay  their  creditors ;  the  women  muft  array  themfelves 
like  the  belles  of  Paris,  (hould  they  not  have  a  morfel  ot 
bread  to  preferve  their  blooming  complexion.  They 
are  thoroughly  acquainted  with  one  another's  families, 
and  from  their  tea  tables,  as  from  their  almofphere,  arifej 
conftant  gufts  of  fcandal  and  detraction.  To  Jtrangers 
they  are  kind,  but  among  themfelves  are  quarrelfome. 
Their Jriendty  intercourfe  is  too  much  confined  within  a 
narrow  circle,  bounded  by  con/ins  or  fecond  coujins." 

Is  this  a  candid  defci  iption,  or  is  it  a  dull  and  illiberal 
fatire  ?  I  would  afk  Mr.  M.  whether  it  pofle  fifes  any 
difcriminating  features?  Are  not  the  men  and  women 
of  other  climes  fond  of  drefs,  and  additled  to  fcanda!  ? 
In  all  fmall  towns,  the  inhabitants  are  '.veil  acquainted 
with  one  another's  families.  In  every  pan  of  the  worlu, 
where  the  women  are  handfome,  they  are  generally 
comely.  Why  then  did  not  Ivlr.  M.'s  correfpondent 
fay  at  once,  that  the  people  of  Bermudas  are  human  be- 
ings ?  As  it  is  not  my  defign  to  cruicife  errours  of  flyle, 
I  forbear  to  remark  upon  the  properties  attributed  to  the 
atmofphere  of  Bermudas,"  from  which  "  arifej  conftant 
gufts  of  fcandal  and  detraction."  Nor  do  I  fay,  that 
thofe  who  confine  their  friendly  intercourfe  to  their  near 
relations,  cannot  be  quarrelfome  among  themfelves,  or 
kind  to  ftrangers.  Our  Geographer,  in  this  and  in  ma- 
ny other  parts  of  his  work,  feerr.s  to  have  forgotten  the 
obfervation  of  Mr.  Young,  which  is  quoted  with  appro- 
bation in  his  fecond  volume,  page  167.  "It  is  but  an 


12  REMARKS  ON  THE    AMERICAN 

illiberal  bufinefs  for  a  traveller,  who  defigns  to  publifh 
remarks  upon  a  country,  to  fit  down  cooly  in  his  clofet 
and  write  a  fatire  on  the  inhabitants.  Severity  of  that 
fort  muft  be  enlivened  with  an  uncommon  fhare  of  wit 
and  ridicule,  to  pleafe.  Where  very  grofs  abfurclities 
are  found,  it  is  fair  and  manly  to  note  them;  but  to  enter 
into  character  and  difpofition  is  generally  uncandid,  fince 
there  are  no  people  but  might  be  better  than  they  are 
found,  and  none  but  have  virtues  which  deferve  atten- 
tion, at  leaft  as  much  as  their  failings."  It  is  to  be  la- 
mented, that  Mr.  M.  is  incapable  of  imitating  the  can- 
dour which  he  approves.  Had  he  imbibed  more  of  the 
fpirit  of  Mr.  Young,  he  would  never  have  written  his 
.illiberal  inveftives  againft  the  inhabitants  of  Rhode 
Ifland,  Maryland,  North  Carolina,  and  the  fouthem  Hates 
in  general. 

Next  to  depending  upon  trifling  authorities,  is  the 
fault  of  adopting  the  errours  of  writers,  who  are  really 
refpeftabie.  A  univerfal  geographer  ought  to  receive 
nothing  implicitly,  efpecially  ii  it  be  incredible.  It  is 
incredible  that  the  peccary  (hould  "  have  its  navel  on 
the  back,"  as  Mr.  M.  aflcrts  (vol.  I,  p.  661)  upon  the 
authority  of  Mr.  Apthorp,  who  has  given  thepublick  an 
ingenious,  and  (as  I  have  been  informed  by  other  gen- 
tlemen, who  have  refided  in  the  country]  accurate  def- 
cription  of  the  colony  of  Surrinam.  Further  inquiry 
would  have  taught  Mr.  M.  that  more  than  two  centuries 
have  elapfed,  fince  anaiomifls  have  evinced,  that  the 
cavity  on  the  back  of  the  peccary  is  not  its  navel.* 

Upon  the  authority  of  the  Abbe  Clavigero,  Mr.  M. 
has  placed  lipns  and  tigers  in  Mexico  (vol.  I,  p.  638.) 

*  See  Buffon's  Nat.  Hift.  of  the  Peccary,  and  Clavigcro's  Hift.  of 
Mexico.     Vol.  I,  p.  38. 


UNIVERSAL    GEOGRAPHY.  13 

But  whether  this  be  done  with  propriety,  may  be  difpu- 
ted.  There  are,  I  confefs,  in  Mexico  and  South  Amer- 
ica, animals  which  bear  fome  refemblance  to  the  tiger  ; 
and  a  beaft  without  a  mane,  in  Mexico,  called  themiztli, 
which  Clavigero  will  have  to  be  a  lion.*  But  other 
natural  hiftorians  of  reputation  teach,  that  the  genuine 
lion  and  tiger  are  not  to  be  found,  except  in  the  eaftern 
continent ;  and  that  it  is  confounding  names  and  diftinc- 
tions,  to  apply  thefe  denominations  to  any  animals  in 
America. 

The  other  objections  which  I  have  urged,  will,  I  flat- 
ter myfelt,  be  juftified,  by  pointing  out  fome  particular 
miftakes  in  the  firft  volume  of  the  American  Univerfal 
Geography,  iollowing  the  order  of  the  pages. 

I  have  commended  the  Introduction  ;  but  there  are  a 
few  inaccuracies  in  it,  probably  the  effetl  of  hafte,  which, 
as  the  work  is  defigned  for  fchools  and  colleges,  ought 
to  be  corrected. 

P.  30.  "  The  earth  is  fomething  in  the  form  of  a  flat 
turnip."  This  will  convey  a  falfe  idea  to  the  mind  of  a 
learner.  A  turnip  of  the  common  form  is  very  oblate. 
But  zjlat  turnip,  if  the  epithet  have  any  meaning,  muft 
be  more  like  a  pancuke  than  the  earth. 

P.  31.  "  Were  tfce  earth  a  perfecl  plane,  the  fun  would 
appear  to  be  vertical  in  every  part  of  it."  Not  unlefs 
tills  plane  were  turned  dire&ly  to  the  fun  ;  or,  in  other 
words,  unlefs  it  were  perpendicular  to  a  line  drawn  to 
the  fun's  centre.  In  every  other  pofition  of  the  plane, 
the  fun  would  appear  vertical  on  no  part  of  it. 

P.  33.  The  ecliptick  "  makes  an  angle  with  the  equator 
of  23°  30'."  This  is  not  confident  with  the  Table,  p.  20, 
in  which  it  is  afferted,  that  the  axis  of  the  earth  is  in- 
clined to  us  orbit  23°  29'. 

*  Hirt.  of  Mexico.     Vo!.  T,  p.  37. 


14  REMARKS  ON  THE   AMERICAN 

P.  49.  Prop.  ix.  "  All  the  inhabitants  of  the  earth  en- 
joy  the  fun's  light  an  equal  length  of  time."  This, I  believe, 
is  not  true.  As  the  orbit  of  the  earth  is  not  a  circle, 
but  an  ellipfis,  it  is  a  longer  time  in  revolving  from  the 
vernal  to  the  autumnal  equinox,  than  from  the  autumnal 
to  the  vernal.  Confequently  the  northern  hemifphere 
enjoys  more  of  the  fun's  light,  than  the  fouthern  ;  and 
the  day  at  the  fouth  pole,  is  fhorter  than  that  at  the  north. 

P.  ,56.  Monfoons  are  very  obfcurely  accounted  for. 

P.  75.  Mr.  M.  attempts  to  prove  that  the  number  of 
inhabitants  in  America  mufl  be  "  confidtrably  lefs  than 
fixty  millions,  feven  hundred,  and  fifty  thoufand."  His 
arguments,  I  doubt  not,  will  appear  conclufive  to  all  his 
readers.  But  yet,  ftrange  as  it  may  be  thought,  they 
do  not  convince  himfelf.  For  in  p.  82,  he  fays,  "  We 
reckon  the  number  of  the  Americans  at  about  fixty  mil- 
lions." 

When,  and  in  what  manner,  was  America  peopled, 
are  queftioris,  which  have  long  agitated  the  minds  of  in- 
quifitive  men.  Various  hypothefes  have  been  framed, 
none  of  which  are  perfectly  fatisfaclory.  It  is  the  bufi- 
nefs  of  a  geographer  to  ftate  thofe  which  are  the  mofl 
ingenious  ;  but  it  is  imprudent  to  adopt  any  one  in  par- 
ticular, left,  when  called  upon,  he  fhould  be  unable  to 
defend  it.  Mr.  M.  rejecting  the  hypothefis  of  Dr.  Rob- 
ertfon,  which,  he  fays,  "  for  want  of  information,  is  in 
feveral  refpecls  inaccurate  and  without  foundation,"  em- 
braces the  opinion  of  the  Abbe  Clavigero.  P.  77. 
The  Abbe  thinks  it  probable,  that  America  was  peopled 
foon  after  the  flood,  and  by  families  difperfed  by  the  con- 
fufion  of  tongues.  Some  of  them  parted  from  the  moil 
eaftern  parts  of  Afia  ;  others,  from  the  north  weft  parts 
of  Europe  ;  but  the  anceftors  of  the  nations  of  South 


UNIVERSAL    GEOGRAPHY.  15 

America,  he  conjectures,  went  thither  from  Africa ; 
not  by  water,  but  over  an  ifthmus,  which  formerly  con* 
neftcd  the  two  continents,  and  which  has  fince  been  funk 
by  a  fucceffion  of  earthquakes.  Thus  does  the  Abbe 

cut  the  knot,  which  others  have  in  vain  attempted  to 
untie. 

It  is  not  my  intention  to  enter  into  a  controverfy  with 
Mr.  M.  upon  this  queflion.  But  among  many  objec- 
tions, which  might  be  forcibly  urged  againft  the  hypoth- 
efis,  there  is  one  which,  I  fuppofe,  ought  to  have  great 
weight  in  his  mind.  He  admits,  that  all  the  inhabitants 
of  the  globe  are  defcended  from  one  man.  If  this  be  a 
truth,  as  I  have  no  doubt  that  it  is,  the  difference  of  com- 
plexion among  mankind  muft  proceed  from  difference 
of  climate,  and  from  other  phyfical  caufes.*  Thefe 
caufes  operate  very  flowly,  requiring  many  centuries 
probably,  to  produce  any  vifible  effeft.  Now  Dr.  Rob- 
ertfon  and  many  other  authors  maintain,  and  Mr.  M. 
has  not  denied  it,  that  the  Indians  of  America,  except  the 
Efquimaux,  are  fimilar  to  each  other  in  the  colour  of 
their  {kins.  But  Mr.  M.  himfelf  allows,  p.  71,  that 
"  America  has  all  the  varieties  of  climate  which  the 
earth  affords."  In  the  eaftern  continent  is  found  a  great 
variety  of  complexions,  correfponding  with  remarkable 
exa&nefs  to  the  differences  of  climate,  and  other  phyfi- 
cal caufes,  exifling  in  the  feveral  parts  of  it.t  Is  it  not 
then  highly  probable,  that  the  weftern  continent  has 
been  recently  peopled  ? 

*  There  is  another  hypothecs,  that  the  varieties  of  complexion  a- 
monj  mankind  were  fupernaturally  produced  foon  after  the  flood. 
But  as  this  fuppofes  a  miraculous  interpofition,  where  there  feems  to 
be  no  neceffity  for  it,  I  take  it  for  granted,  that  it  is  not  adopted  by 
Mr.  M. 

f  See  Buffon's  Nat.  Hift.  vol.  I,  410.  edit. 


l6  REMARKS  ON   THE    AMERICAN 

P.  85.  Mr.  M.  in  his  character  of  the  Mexicans,  mix- 
es together  qualities,  which,  I  believe,  are  not  often 
found  aflbciated  in  the  fame  human  being.  "  They  are 
patient  of  injuries" — but  "  anxious  to  punifh  crimes." 
"Good  faith  is  not  fo  much  refpecled  as  it  deferves  to 
be ;" — but,  at  the  fame  time,  "  generofity  and  perfect 
difmtereflednefs  are  linking  traits  in  their  character." 

P.  99.  Our  Geographer  gives  an  account  of  the  new 
difcoveries  on  the  north  weft  coaft  of  America.  But  it 
contains  feveral  errours.  Among  others  which  might 
be  mentioned,  he  fays  "  Nootka  Sound  is  (ituated  in  north 
latitude  40°  30':"  and  that  Captain  Cook  landed  at  a 
place  on  the  coaft  of  New  Albion, "  fnuated  in  north  lat- 
itude 74°  33'."  P.  joi. 

Mr.  M.  informs  his  readers  in  his  fecond  volume, 
p.  422,  that  the  emperor  of  China,  a  century  ago,  "  lev- 
elled the  churches  [of  chriftiansj  with  the  ground,  and 
prohibited  the  exercife  of  their  religion;  fince  which 
time  chriftianity  has  made  no  progrefs  in  China."  But 
in  his  firft  volume,  p.  107,  there  is  a  very  different  ac- 
count. He  here  fuggefts,  that  chriftianity  has  been  re- 
flored,  and  thatpublick  worfliip  is  conduced  with  fplen- 
dour,  the  Chinefe  chriftians  being  permitted  to  burn 
fandle  wood  in  their  churches. 

P.  109.  "This  year  (1548—49)  king  Henry  VII. 
granted  a  penfion  for  life  to  Sabaftian  Cabot."  Henry 
VII.  died  forty  years  before  this  period.  It  fhould  be 
Edward  VI.  who  began  his  reign  1547. 

P.  124.  Mr.  M,  is  fond  of  the  marvellous.  Witnefs 
his  defcription  of  the  cold  of  Greenland  ;  where  he 
fays,  that  "  the  ice  and  hoar  froft  reaches  through  the 
chimney  to  the  ftove's  mouth,  without  being  thawed  by 
the  fire  in  the  day  time."  But  though  fire  has  no  heat 


UNIVERSAL    GEOGRAPHY.  IJT 

in  Greenland,  yet  it  feems  fraoke  is  not  entirely  defti- 
tute  of  it.  For  that  has  power  to  thaw  fmall  holes  through 
the  arch  of  frofl,  which  is  formed  over  the  chimney. 

P.  133.  "  Captain  Chriftopher  attempted  further  dif- 
coveries  [in  the  northern  parts  of  America]  in  1361." 
That  is,  a  hundred  and  thirty  one  years  before  the  voyage 
of  Columbus. 

Mr.  M.'s  defcription  of  Canada  contains  feveral  mif- 
takes.  In  his  American  Geography  there  is  a  fhort  ac- 
count, which  is  more  correft.  Had  he  not  been  in  too 
much  hafte,  he  would  not  probably  have  deviated  from 
it  in  his  prefent  edition. 

P.  135.  "  Upper  and  Lower  Canada  comprehend  the 
territory  heretofore  called  Canada,  or  the  Province  of 
Quebec."  Canada  is  a  vaft  country,  of  which  the  old 
province  of  Quebec,  limited  by  acl:  of  parliament,  is  a 
part  only. 

"  Length,  fix  hundred  miles  ;  breadth,  five  hundred 
and  fitly  :  fituated  between  61°  and  81°,  weft  longitude 
from  London."  The  limits  of  Canada  to  the  weft,  are 
not  defined  ;  but  it  extends  at  Jeaft  as  far  as  the  longi- 
tude 96°,  from  London.  Its  length  is  above  fourteen 
hundred  miles  ;  but  its  breadth,  in  the  wideft  part,  is 
mort  of  five  hundred  miles. 

"  Bounded  eaft,  by  part  of  the  province  of  New  Brunf- 
wick."  It  is  bounded  fouth  by  New  Brunfwick,  as  Mr. 
M.  himfelf  fays  in  the  next  paragraph.  Canada  is  bound- 
ed eaft,  by  New  Britain  and  the  gulf  of  St.  Lawrence. 

"  The  river  St.  Lawrence,  below  Quebec,  is  of  fuffi- 

cient  depth  for  (hips  of  war.     It  falls  into  the  ocean  at 

Cape  Rofieres  by  a  mouth  ninety  miles  broad."     This 

river  is  of  fufficient  depth  for  mips  of  war,  many  miles, 

C 


l8  REMARKS  ON   THE    AMERICAN 

above  Quebec.     It  falls  into  the  gulf  of  St.  Lawrence, 
by  a  mouth  above  a  hundred  miles  broad.* 

P.  136.  "  Quebec  is  covered  with  a  citadel,  in  which 
the  governour  refides."  The  governour  ot  Quebec  does 
not  refide  in  the  citadel. 

"The  number  of  inhabitants  is  computed  at  about 
fifteen  thoufand."  In  the  year  1784,  according  to  the 
American  Geography,  Quebec  contained  fix  thoufand, 
four  hundred,  and  feventy  two  inhabitants.  At  prefent 
the  number  is  fomewhat  more. 

"  The  haven  is  about  five  fathoms  deep."  It  is  from 
five  to  twenty  five  fathoms  deep. 

"  The  harbour  is  flanked  by  two  baftions."  The  har- 
bour of  Quebec  is  not  flanked  by  baftions. 

P.  137.  "  The  town  called  Trois  Rivieres  has  its  name 
from  three  rivers  which  join  their  currents  here,  and  tall 
into  the  river  St.  Lawrence."  There  is  not  but  one 
river  at  Trois  Rivieres.  This  river  has  three  channels, 
which  are  formed  by  two  fmall  iflands  lying  at  its  mouth. 
"  The  fortifications  [of  Montreal]  have  been  much 
improved  by  the  Englifh."  The  fortifications  of  Mont- 
real are  going  to  decay,  and  have  never  been  repaired  by 
the  Englilh. 

Under  the  article,  Government,  Mr.  M.  omits  the 
moft  diftinguiihing  feature  of  the  conftitution  of  the  two 
provinces ;  which  is,  that  tlve  king  may  annex  to  heredi- 
tary titles  of  honour,  the  right  of  being  fummoned  to 
the  legiflative  council. 

*  In  this  and  many  of  the  following  correftions  of  the  Univerfal 
Geography,  I  rely  upon  the  Charts  publifiisd  by  Des  Earres,  for  the 
ufc  of  the  Royal  Navy  of  Great  Britain.  The  reputation  of  thefe 
chart;  is  fo  well  eftablifhed,  that  it  is  unnecefliiry  to  urge  any  thing  in 
t'.ioir  commendation. 


UNIVERSAL    GEOGRAPHY.  19 

P.  139.  "  Cape  Breton  lies  between  the  latitudes  45° 
and  47°,  north;  and  between  59°  and  60°,  weft  longi- 
tude from  London.  It  is  about  a  hundred  miles  in  length, 
and  fifty  in  breadth."  Cape  Breton  is  fituated  between 
4,5°  28' and  47°  2 ',  north  latitude;  and  between  59°  44' 
and  61°  29',  weft  longitude  trom  London.  The  length 
is  a  hundred  and  nine  miles ;  and  the  breadth,  eighty 
four  miles.  In  the  narroweft  part,  it  is  about  twenty 
miles. 

"  Except  in  the  hilly  parts,  the  furface  of  the  country 
has  but  little  folidity,  being  every  where  covered  with  a 
light  mofs  and  with  water. — The  foil  is  unfit  for  agricul- 
ture." I  have  feen  a  late  account  which  fays,  that  there 
is  a  great  proportion  of  arable  land  on  this  ifland. 

P.  140.  "  A  great  quantity  of  foft  wood  was  found 
there,  fit  for  firing,  andjbme  that  might  be  ufed  for  tim- 
ber." Cape  Breton  abounds  in  timber.  See  1.  36,  and  p. 
141,1.5. 

Mr.  M.'s  account  of  Cape  Breton,  is  rather  a  defcrip- 
tion  ot  what  it  was  under  the  French,  than  what  it  is  at 
prefent. 

P.  141.  "  Nova  Scotia  [including  New  Brunfwick.] 
Length,  four  hundred  miles  ;  breadth,  three  hundred ; 
fituated  between  43°  30'  and  49°,  north  latitude  ;  and 
between  60°  and  67°,  eaft  longitude  from  London." 
Nova  Scotia  (including  New  Brunfwick)  is  in  length, 
three  hundred  and  feventeen  miles;  and  in  breadth,  two 
hundred  and  fifty  four  ;  and  is  fituated  between  43°  30' 
and  48°  4',  north  latitude;  and  between  61°  and  67°, 
aft  longitude  from  London. 

"  Bounded  on  the  north,  by  the  river  St.  Lawrence." 
It  is  bounded  on  the  north,  by  Lower  Canada,  from 
•which  it  is  feparated  in  part,  by  the  bay  of  Chaleurs,  and 
the  river  Refligouche,  which  Mr.  M.  calls  Rifgonche. 


2O  REMARKS  ON  THE   AMERICAN 

P.  143.  "  St.  John's  river  is  navigable  for  veffels  of 
fifty  tons,  fixty  miles."  It  is  navigable  for  floops  to 
Frederick  town,  which  is  ninety  miles. 

"  The  bay  ot  Verte  is  feparated  from  the  bay  of  Fun- 
dy  by  a  narrow  ifthmus  ot  about  eighteen  miles  wide." 
This  ifthmus  is  fifteen  miles  wide. 

Gafpee  bay  is  not  in  New  Brunfwick,  where  Mr.  M. 
places  it,  but  in  Lower  Canada.  Several  important  bays 
are  omitted  :  among  which  are,  Miramichi,  in  New 
Brunfwick;  and  Frederick,  George,  Torbay,  Charlotte, 
Kiflg's,  Barrington,  Townfhend,*  St.  Mary,  Annapolis 
Royal,  and  the  bafin  of  Mines,  in  Nova  Scotia. 

P.  144.  "  Halifax  is  faid  to  contain  fifteen  or  fixteen 
thoufand  inhabitants."  Halifax  contains  tour  thoufand 
inhabitants. 

"  Frederick  town  is  the  capital  ot  the  province  of 
New  Brunfwick."  St.  John's  is  the  capital  of  New 
Brunfwick. 

"  During  a  great  part  ot  the  year,  the  atmofphere  is 
clouded  with  thick  fog,  which  renders  it  unhealthy  for 
the  inhabitants."  Thofe  who  have  lived  in  Nova  Sco- 
tia, affirm,  that  the  climate  is  remarkably  healthful. 
The  climate  of  this  country  cannot  differ  much  from 
that  of  Cape  Breton  ;  and  ot  the  latter  Mr.  M.  has  fpok- 
en  in  the  following  terms,  p.  139.  "  The  dampnefj  of 
the  foil  is  exhaled  in  fogs,  without  rendering  the  air  un- 
wholefome."  Can  oppofite  effects  arife  from  the  fame 
caufe?  Mr.  M.  has  miftaken  the  origin  of  the  fog, 
•which  is  not  from  the  land,  but  the  fea. 

The  American  Geographer  has  given  too  unfavourable 
a  defci  jpdon  of  the  foil  of  this  country.  In  New  Brunf- 
wick, there  are  extenfive  trafts  of  excellent  land.  And 
even  in  the  peninfula  of  Nova  Scotia,  there  are  many 


UNIVERSAL    GEOGRAPHY.  21 

large  and  well  cultivated  farms.  The  inhabitants  have 
lately  made  great  improvements  in  hufbandry,  for  the 
encouragement  of  which  an  agricultural  fociety  has  been 
inftituted.* 

P.  145.  "  The  ifland  of  St.  John's  is  about  fixty  miles 
long."  It  is  a  hundred  and  three  miles  long,  and  from 
ten  to  thirty  five  miles  broad. 

P.  146.  "Newfoundland  is  fituated  between  46  and 
£2  degrees  of  north  latitude ;  and  between  ,53  and  ^o, 
degrees,  weft  longitude  :  being  five  hundred  and  fifty 
miles  long;  and  two  hundred,  broad."  Newfoundland 
is  fituated  between  46°  45'  and  51°  46',  north  latitude  ; 
and  between  52°  31' and  59°  40',  weft  longitude  from 
the  Obfervatory  at  Greenwich  ;  which  according  to 
Mr.  M.'s  Table,  at  the  end  of  his  fecond  volume,  is 
°°  5'  3?">  eaft  rrorn  St.  Paul's,  London.  The  length, 
from  north  \veft  to  fouih  eaft,  is  three  hundred  and  eighty 
one  miles :  the  greateft  breadth,  two  hundred  and  eighty 
feven  miles;  and  the  breadth,  in  the  narrowed  part,  about 
forty  miles. 

Mr.  M.  omits  the  other  iflands  which  are  in  the  gulf 
of  St.  Lawrence.  The  moft  remarkable  are  Anticofti, 
the  Magdalen  Ifles,  and  Ifle  Percee. 

Amicofti  lies  near  the  mouth  of  the  river  St.  Law- 
rence ;  and  is  a  hundred  and  twenty  fix  miles  long,  and 
thirty  two  miles  broad.  It  has  no  good  harbours,  and  is 
uninhabited. 

The  Magdalen  Ifles  are  a  firing  of  iflands,  lying  in 
longitude  61°  40',  weft  from  the  Obfervatory  at  Green- 
wich, and  extending  from  47°  13'  1047°  42',  north  lat- 
itude. They  are  inhabited  by  a  few  fifhermen.  Thefe 

*  See  the  valuable  pamphlet  juft  published  by  the  Truftees  of  the 
Mafiachufetts  Agricultural  Society,  p.  35 — 45. 


22  REMARKS  ON  THE   AMERICAN 

iflands  were  formerly  the  haunts  of  fea  cows ;  which  are 
now  nearly  exterminated.  Though  Mr.  M.  enumerates 
the  fea  cow  among  the  animals  of  the  United  States ; 
yet  I  have  been  informed  by  a  gentleman,  who  is  well 
acquainted  with  its  hiftory,  that  it  is  not  found  further 
fouth  than  Louifbourg. 

Ifle  Percee,  which  lies  about  five  leagues  fouth  of  Cape 
Gafpee,  is  very  fmall  ;  but  it  deferves  to  be  mentione  d 
as  a  curiofity.  It  is  a  perpendicular  rock,  and  is  pierced 
with  two  natural  arches,  through  which  the  fea  flows. 
One  of  thefe  arches  is  fufficiently  high,  to  admit  a  large 
boat  to  pafs  freely  through  it. 

P.  148.  In  defcribing  the  part  of  the  United  States, 
which  is  "  to  be  difpofed  of  by  order  of  Congrefs,  when 
purchafed  of  the  Indians,"  Mr.  M.  is  not  very  clear.  Its 
northern  boundary,  he  fays,  "  extends  from  the  river 
St.  Croix  to  the  Lake  of  the  Woods."  Congrefs  has 
now  no  lands  to  difpofe  of,  eail  of  Lake  Erie.  He 
fhould  therefore  fay,  that  the  northern  boundary  of  this 
territory  extends  from  the  Lake  of  the  Woods,  to  the 
north  weft  corner  ot  Pennfylvania. 

P.  151.  "  A  fmall  river,  juft  before  it  enters  the  lake, 
[Superiour]  has  a  perpendicular  fall  from  the  top  of  a 
mountain,  of  more  than  a  hundred  feet."  Carver  dcf- 
ciibes  this  fall  as  fix  hundred  feet  high. 

P.  154.  "  The  falls  of  Niagara  are  a  hundred  and  fifty 
feet  perpendicular."     The  height  has   frequently  been 
meafured,  and  found  to  be  lefs  than  a  hundred  and  fifty 
feel.      When  exaft   numbers  have   been   afcertained, 
round  numbers  ought  not  to  be  ufed. 

P.  162.  In  his  account  of  the  bays  of  the  United  States, 
the  American  Geographer  is  very  far  from  being  correft. 
Many  important  bays  are  omitted,  to  make  room  for 


UNIVERSAL    GEOGRAPHY.  23 

"  the  gulf  of  St.  Lawrence,  Chedabukto  and  Chebukto 
bays,  in  Nova  Scotia,  and  the  bay  of  Fundy  ;"  none  of 
which  are  within  the  limits  of  the  United  States. 

"  Long  Ifland  found  is  about  one  hundred  and  forty 
miles  long,  extending  the  whole  length  of  the  ifland." 
The  Sound  does  not  extend  the  whole  length  of  Long  Ifl- 
and ;  and  is  not  much  more  than  a  hundred  miles  long. 
P.  163.  "  The  Chefapeek  is  one  of  the  largeft  bays 
in  the  known  world.  It  extends  two  hundred  and  fev- 
enty  miles  to  the  northward,  dividing  Virginia  and 
Maryland."  There  are  many  bays  in  America  and  oth- 
er parts  of  the  world,  larger  than  the  Chefapeek  ;  which 
does  not  extend  two  hundred  miles  to  the  northward.  It 
is  noteafy  to  determine,  what  Mr.  M.  intends  by  "divid- 
ing Virginia  and  Maryland."  If  his  meaning  be,  that 
the  whole  of  Maryland  is  on  one  fide  of  the  bay  ;  and 
the  whole  of  Virginia,  on  the  other ;  this  is  not  true.  If 
his  meaning  be,  that  the  Chefapeek  divides  them,  as 
Connecticut  river  divides  Maflachufetts  and  Connecti- 
cut, by  running  through  them ;  he  has  exprefled  himielf 
with  great  obfcurity. 

P.  233.  Under  the  head  of  Commerce,  Mr.  M.  has 
very  properly  introduced  the  Abftraftot  goods  exported 
from  the  United  States,  from  the  ift  of  Oftober,  1790,10 
the  3oth  of  September,  1791.  The  amount  is,  feventeen 
millions,  five  hundred  and  feventy  one  thoufand,  five 
hundred  and  fifty  one  dollars,  and  forty  five  cents.  The 
reader  would  be  enabled  to  form  a  more  complete  idea 
of  the  commerce  of  the  United  States,  if  the  amount  of 
exports  for  the  year  preceding,  had  alfo  been  inferted. 
It  appears  from  an  Abftraclof  Exports,  publifhed  in  Mr. 
Fenno's  Gazette,  that,  from  the  commencement  of  the 
cuflom  houfes  in  the  feveral  ftates,  which  was  at  differ- 


24  REMARKS  ON  THE    AMERICAN 

ent  times  in  Auguft,  1789,  to  the  3oth  of  September, 
1790,  there  were  exported  goods  and  merchandize, 
amounting  to  the  value  of  twenty  millions,  four  hundred 
and  fifteen  thoufand,  nine  hundred  and  fixty  fix  dollars, 
and  eighty  four  cents.* 

P.  243.  Mr.  M.  affigns  as  the  principal  caufe  of  the 
increafing  manufactures  of  the  United  States,  "  the  pre- 
vailing difpofmon  among  the  European  naiions,  and  par- 
ticularly Great  Britain,  to  reftri£t  and  embarrafs  their 
external  trade."  This  may  be  one  caufe;  but  there  are 
feveral  others,  which  are  more  operative. 

P.  253.  The  degeneracy  of  the  congregational  church- 
es from  that  order,  fellowfhip,  and  harmony,  in  difci- 
pline,  doclrines,  and  friendly  advice  and  affiftance  in  ec- 
clefiaitical  matters,  which  formerly  fubfifted  among  them, 
is  matter  of  deep  regret  to  many,  not  to  fay  moft  people 
of  that  denomination."  That  the  congregational  church- 
es of- New  England  have  degenerated  from  that  harmo- 
ny, which  formerly  fubfifted  among  them,  if  by  harmo- 
ny be  meant  fraternal  affection,  is  not  true.  At  no  peri- 
od has  chrifti.an  charity  prevailed,  more  than  at  prefent. 
Both  minifters  and  people  cheerfully  mix  with  each  oth- 
er in  fociety,  regardlefs  of  difference  oi  fentiment.  That 
the  congregational  churches  do  not  agree  in  doElnnes, 
as  much  at  prefent,  as  before  the  age  of  Edwards  and 
Mayhew,  mult  be  allowed.  This  may  be  a  matter  of 
deep  regret  to  Mr.  M.  But  I  have  the  pleafure  of  be- 
ing acquainted  with  many  congregational  minifters,  who, 
viewing  it  as  the  unavoidable  effect  of  the  fpirit  of  free 
inquiry  and  zeal  for  truth,  prevailing  in  New  England, 

*  The  exports  for'the  year,  ending/he  laft  day  of  September,  1792, 
amounted  to  the  value  of  twenty  millionf,  five  hundred  and  eighteen 
thoufand,  and  fourteen  dollars.  See  Columbian  Centinel,  No.  975. 


UNIVERSAL    GEOGRAPHY.  25 

rather  rejoice  than  repine  at  it.  But,  if  it  be  an  evil,  it 
cannot  be  remedied  except  by  that  Being,  who  only  has 
power  to  harmonize  the  difcordant  fentiments  of  man- 
kind. A  confociation  of  churches,  which  Mr.  M.  feems 
to  defire  ;  an  examination  of  candidates  for  the  miniftry, 
as  to  their  opinions ;  a  fubfa  iption  to  articles  of  faith  ; 
and  the  other  methods  ufually  praftifed  by  religious  ef- 
tablimments;  would  not,  in  the  prefent  ftate  of  manners 
in  New  England,  and  under  the  free  conflitutions  of 
government  which  the  people  happily  enjoy,  be  follow- 
ed by  the  effe&s  which  Mr.  M.  wifhes.  So  far  from 
producing  a  harmony  in  difcipline  and,  doftrine,  thefe 
caufes  would  fplit  the  congregational  church  into  a  num- 
ber of  diflinft  fefts,  and  would  deftroy  that  harmony  of 
affechon,  which  is  its  peculiar  honour. 

P.  261.  Mr.  M.  gives  the  number  of  the  Wefleian 
methodifts  in  the  United  States ;  but  he  has  made  a  mif- 
take  in  his  arithmetick,  which  is  a  common  fault  with 
him. 

P.  265—268.  A  very  exceptionable  part  of  Mr.  M.'s 
work,  is  his  account  of  that  clafs  of  univerfallifts,  who 
are  the  followers  of  Mr.  Murray.  The  American  Ge- 
ographer here  throws  afide  all  appearances  of  candour. 
Inftead  of  an  impartial  reprefentation  of  the  fentiments 
of  this  feft,  he  adopts  the  ftyle  of  controverfy.  His  at- 
tack is  ungenerous ;  becaufe,  according  to  his  own  af- 
fertion,  thefe  univerfallifts  are  a  very  fmall  body.  It  is 
ungenerous;  as  they  have  not  the  power  of  defending 
themfelves  upon  equal  ground.  Mr.  M.'s  Geography- 
will  probably  circulate  through  every  part  of  the  United 
States.  It  will  be  read  in  families,  and  taught  in  fchools 
and  colleges.  The  youth  of  America  will  be  inftrucled 
D 


26  REMARKS  ON    THE    AMERICAN 

by  him,  to  look  upon  the  univerfdllifts  with  contempt  and 
abhorrence.  Whilft  any  defence  which  they  may  make 
of  themfelves,  can  be  communicated  by  no  other  medi- 
um, than  newfpapers  or  other  fugitive  publications, 
which,  as  foon  as  they  are  read,  are  thrown  afide  and  for- 
gotten. 

Mr.  M.  afferts,  that  thefe  univerfdllifts  '«  differ  not  on- 
ly  from  ail  other  univerfallifts,  and  from  each  other,  but 
even   trom  themfelves  at  different  times."     He  affirms, 
that  "  their  notions  refpecling  the  ordinances  are  vague 
and   unfettled."     He   charges  them  with  contradiction, 
and  want  of  grammatical  propriety.     And  he  fneers  at 
them,  when  they  "  profefs  themfelves  to  be  the  advocates 
of  piety,  religion,  and   morality."      Though  it  may    be 
thought  prefumption  in  me,  to  vindicate  a  feel,  which  the 
American  Geographer  has  condemned  ;  yet  I  will  ven- 
ture to  fay,  that  his  reprefentation  is  unfair  and  errone- 
ous.    Enjoying  the  happinefs  of  a   large  acquaintance 
with  this  clafs  of  univerfallifts,  having  frequently  heard 
their  preachers,  and  read   many  of  their  printed  books 
and  letters  in  manufcript,*  I   will   take  the  liberty  to 
give  it  as  my  opinion,  that  they  are  as  uniform  in  their 
religious  creed,  as  moil  other  feels  of  chriftians.     Their 
fentiments  and  conducl  refpecling  the  ordinances,  ap. 
pear   to  me   to  difcover  a  liberality,  in  what  they  fup- 
pofe  to  be  mere  fiiadows,  or  things  indifferent :  and  Mr. 
M.  himfelf  ought  to  allow,  that  charity   is  better  than 
ordinances.     In  purity  of  morals,  I  do  not  perceive  that 
they  are  inferiour  to  other  chriftians.     Though  they  de- 

*  In  the  year  1777,  I  was  favoured  with  the  perufal  of  a  long  let- 
ter, written  by  the  head  of  this  denomination,  and  expreiling  fenti- 
ments perfedtly  confident  with  thofe  contained  in  his  Letter  to  a 
Friend,  printed,  in  the  year  1791. 


UNIVERSAL    GEOGRAPHY.  2/ 

ny  the  do&rine  of  everlafting  mifery,  yet  they  have  oth- 
er motives  to  influence  them  to  virtue.  They  inculcate 
the  neceffity  of  obeying  the  commands  of  God  their  fav- 
iour.  They  reject  with  indignation,  the  licentious  con- 
fequences,  which  their  enemies  deduce  from  their  prin- 
ciples. 

Mr.  M.  attacks  with  more  caution  the  Chauncean 
univerfallifts.  But,  by  comparing  one  part  of  his  book 
with  another,  it  is  plain  enough  to  be  feen,  that  he  would 
cenfure  them  with  as  much  harffinefs,  as  the  other  clafs 
of  univerfallifts,  if  he  did  not  think  them  more  formida- 
ble for  their  number  and  abilities.  He  quotes  with 
much  art  the  words  of  Mr.  Murray,  who  calls  them 
"  pharifaical  univerfdllifts,  who  are  willing  to  juftify  them- 
felves."  In  p.  264,  he  fays,  "  The  open  advocates  of 
this  fcheme  are  few."  But  in  p.  2,53,  he  affirms,  "  That 
a  number  [of  congregationallifts]  have  adoptedDr.  Chaun- 
cy's  fcheme."  Unlefs  therefore,  a  few,  and  a  number, 
mean  the  fame  thing,  it  muft  be  Mr.  M.'s  intention  to 
infinuate,  that  the  difciples  of  Dr.  Chauncy  are  diihoneft 
men,  who  do  not  openly  advocate,  what  they  fecretiy  be- 
lieve. 

In  the  Hiftory  of  the  United  States,  M.-.  M.  has  made 
one  or  two  miftakes.  P.  277,  he  affirms,  that  about 
feventeen  perfons,  in  Boflon,  deftroyed  the  Eaft  India 
Company's  tea.  Many  perfons,  well  acquainted  with 
that  tranfaftion,  are  ftill  living.  From  them  he  might 
have  learned,  that  a  much  greater  number  were  engaged. 

P.  291.  "  Major  Andre,  aid  to  General  Clinton." 
Major  Andre  was  adjutant  general  of  the  Britifli  army.* 

P.  29^.  "The  peace  was  negotiated  on  the  part  of 
Great  Britain  by  David  Hartley."  The  peace  was  ne- 

*  Gordon's  Hift.  of  Amer.  Rev.  vol.  Ill,  p.  481. 


REMARKS   ON   THE    AMERICAN 

gotiated  by  Mr.  Ofwald.*     The  definitive  treaty  wa« 
fjgned  by  Mr.  Hartley.t 

P.  296'.  "  Enemies  to  the  revolution  multiply  the 
apprehenfions  of  people,  and  increafe  the  popular  difcon- 
tents."  What  right  has  Mr.  M.  to  fay,  that  thefe  per- 
fons  were  enemies  to  the  revolution  ?  Did  they  acknowl- 
edge that  they  were  ?  On  the  contrary,  however  unjuf- 
tifiable  their  conduft,  did  they  not  always  profefs,  that 
they  were  friends  to  the  liberty  and  independence  of  the 
United  States  ? 

An  interefting  article,  which  Mr.  M.  omits,  is  the 
prefent  (late  of  learning,  and  an  account  of  the  mod  dif- 
tinguiflied  authors  now  flourifhing  in  the  United  States. 
There  are,  it  is_true,  a  few  hints,  fcattered  aboytin  differ- 
ent parts  of  his  work  ;  but  he  has  not  treated  the  fubje& 
profeffedly.  Though  our  country  is  {till  in  its  infancy, 
yet  we  car;  already  boaft  of  many  good  writers.  What 
an  American  geographer  would  have  moft  toguard  againft, 
is  exaggerated  applaufe.  We  cannot  pretend  to  vie  with 
the  Englifh,  French,  and  fome  other  nations  of  Europe. 
But  our  countrymen  have  afforded  fufficient  proofs,  that 
they  are  not  deflitute  of  genius. 

P.  310.  "New  England  lies  between  41  and  46  de- 
grees, north  latitude."  According  to  Mr.  M.'s  own 
maps,  New  England  extends  as  far  north  as  the  latitude 
48°.  The  truth  is,  that  its  northern  limits  are  not  pie- 
cifely  known  ;  but  they  are  probably  not  further  north 
than  the  latitude  47°. 

New  England  "  curves  to  the  eaftward,  almoft  to  the 
gulf  ot  St.  Lawrence."  It  does  not  approach  within  a 
hundred  miles  of  the  gulf  of  St.  Lawrence. 

*  Ramfay's  Hift.  of  Am.  Rev.  vol.  II,  p.    306.     Gordon,   vo!. 
IV,  p.  33Z— 360. 
f  Gordon,  vol.  IV,  p.  392. 


UNIVERSAL    GEOGRAPHY.  29 

P.  316.  "The  expreffion  ot  a  wifh  to  be  promoted 
["to  an  office  of  publick  truft]  is,  in  fome  parts  of  New 
England,  the  direft  way  to  be  difappointed."  In  New 
England,  it  is  accounted  indecorous  in  thofe  who  afpire 
alter  publick  offices,  to  propofe  themfelves  as  candidates. 
The  general  practice  is  to  folicit  them  through  the  medi- 
um of  their  friends ;  and  this  is  the  moft  ufual  way  of 
obtaining  them. 

P.  322.  "  Vermont.  Length,  a  hundred  and  fifty 
miles;  breadth,  feventy :  fuuated  beetween  1°  35' and 
3°  30',  eaft  longitude  from  Philadelphia."  According 
toBlodget's  map,  Vermont  is  fnuated  between  1°  44'  and 
^0  nr^  eaft  longitude  from  Philadelphia.  The  meridian 
length  is  a  hundred  and  fifty  feven  miles  and  a  half;  the 
length  ot  the  north  line,  feventy  feven  miles;  and  of  the 
fouth  line,  thirty  eight  miles.  Prefident  Langdon's  map 
makes  the  length  of  the  fouth  line,  thirty  fix  miles. 

P.  329.  "  New  Hampfliire.  Breadth,  fixty  miles." 
The  breadth  of  New  Hampfhire,  according  to  Mr.  M.'s 
plan,  ought  to  be  fifty  fix  miles,  the  quotient  of  the  fquare 
miles  divided  by  the  length.  Dr.  Belknap  fays  that  the 
greateft  breadth  of  New  Hampfliire  is  ninety  miles';  and 
that  its  breadth,  on  the  4Jth  degree  of  latitude,  is  nine- 

teen  miles. 

"  Situated  between  4°  30'  and  6°  17',  eaft  longitude" 
[from  Philadelphia.]  That  is,  the  longitude  of  Phila- 
delphia from  the  Obfervatory  at  Greenwich,  is  76°  57'  or 
^8' ;  for  we  are  informed  by  Dr.  Belknap,  whofe  author- 
iiy  in  whatever  relates  to  New  Hampfhire  muft  be 
viewed  as  decifive,  that  this  ftate  lies  between  70°  40' 
and  72°  28',  weft  from  that  meridian.  It  is  impoffible 
from  the  Univerfal  Geography,  to  determine  the  longi- 
iude  of  Philadelphia.  In  p.  139,  Mr.  M.  fuggefts,  that 


£O  REMARKS   ON    THE    AMERICAN 

it  is  fituated  74°,  weft  from  London.  In  p.  484,  he 
makes  the  difference  of  longitude  between  thefe  two  me- 
ridians, 75°.  But  in  the  Table,  at  the  end  of  his  fecond 
volume,  he  raifes  it  to  75°  9'.  The  longitude  of  Phila- 
delphia is  7,5°  3'  8",  weft  from  London,  or  75°  8'  45", 
from  the  Obfervatory  at  Greenwich.  Confequently 
New  Hampfhire  is  fituated  between  2°  41'  and  4°  29', 
call  longitude  from  Philadelphia. 

P-  33°-  "  Moofe  hillock  mountain."  The  name  of 
this  mountain  in  Dr.  Belknap's  Hiftory,  is  Moofhelock. 

P.  336.  "  A  few  miles  from  the  entrance  [of  the 
Winipifeogee  branch  of  Merritnack  river]  into  the 
Pemigewaffet,  is  a  place  called  the  Wares,  remarkable 
for  the  number  of  falmon  andfhad  which  are  here  caught." 
Salmon  do  not  pafs  up  Winipifeogee  river. 

P.  343.  In  the  Table,  at  the  end  of  his  fecond  vol- 
ume, Mr.  M.  makes  the  longitude  of  Portfmouth7O°  43', 
weft  from  London.  According  to  Dr.  Belknap,  it  is 
70°  41',  weft  from  the  Obfervatory  at  Greenwich. 

P.  345.  "  DiftricT;  of  Maine.  Length,  a  hundred 
and  feventy  miles  :  fituated  between  4°  and  9°,  eafi  lon- 
gitude ;  and  between  43°  and  48°,  north  latitude."  The 
American  Geographer  has  forgotten,  that  he  laid,  p.  310, 
that  New  England,  of  which  Maine  is  the  moft  northern 
part,  extends  no  further  than  the  latitude  46°.  The 
fouth  point  of  this  diftrift  is  in  the  latitude  43°  4'.  A 
part  of  the  weftern  line  lies  in  the  longitude  4^  n',  eaft 
from  Philadelphia.  The  extent  to  the  northward  is 
unknown.  The  eaftern  limits  are  difputed.  The  fea 
coaft,  according  to  Mr.  M.  p,  347,  is  two  hundred  and 
forty  miles  in  extent.  This  I  fuppofe  to  be  near  the 
truth.  The  length  of  Maine  therefore  muft  be  at  leaft 


UNIVERSAL    GEOGRAPHY.  QI 

two  hundred  and  forty  miles.     According  to  Mr.  M.'s 
own  map,  it  is  about  three  hundred  miles. 

P.  346.     "  Portland  ;   latitude  43°  43'."     The  lati- 
tude of  Portland  is  43°  39'  i. 

P-  347-  "  From  the  head  of  the  tide,  to  the  head  of 
the  bay,  to  the  fiteof  old  Fort  Pownal,  the  river  [Peiiob- 
fcot]  is  remarkably  ftraight.  Faffing  by  Majabagadufe, 
on  the  eaft,  feven  miles,  and  Owls  head,  twenty  miles 
further,  on  the  weft,  you  enter  the  ocean."  This  is  not 
accurate.  Penobfcot  river,  in  the  bed  maps,  does  not 
appear  remarkably  ftraight;  and  Owls  head  is  above 
twenty  miles  from  Majabagadufe. 

P.  348.  "  Nonefuch  river  receives  its  name  from  its 
extraordinary  irefhets."  Nonefuch  river,  which  is 
nothing  but  a  fmall  creek,  does  not  receive  its  name  from 
extraordinary  freJJiets. 

Mr.  M.  omits  many  important  bays  and  rivers. 
P.  349.  "  In  the  counties  of  York  and  Cumberland, 
fruit  is  as  plenty  as  in  New  Hampfhire."  Fruit  is  not 
plenty  in  thefe  two  counties.  Cider  is  made  by  very 
few,  except  in  the  townfhips  near  Portfmouth.  In  Cum- 
berland, there  are  no  orchards  worth  mentioning,  except 
in  Faimouth,  North  Yarmouth,  Gorham,  and  Scarbo- 
rough. 

P- 35°-  "Town  fchools  are  very  generally  main- 
tained in  mofl  of  the  towns  that  are  able  to  defray  the 
expenfe."  This  is  a  great  miftake.  The  neglect  of  the 
inhabitants  in  providing  fchool  matters  for  their  children, 
is  notorious. 

"  The  inhabitants  [of  Portland]  are  largely  concerned 
in  the  fifhery."  They  have  not  more  than  two  fchoon- 
ers  employed  in  this  bufinefs.  Fifh,  it  is  true,  are  ex- 
ported from  Portland  ;  but  they  are  purchafed  in  Bofton, 


32  REMARKS   ON   THE    AMERICAN 

and  of  the  fhore  fifliermen  along  the  coaft  ;  principally 
in  the  former  place. 

P.  351.  "  Hallowell  is  fituated  in  latitude  44°  40'." 
Hallowell  is  at  leaft  23'  fouth  of  this  latitude. 

It  appears  from  Fleet's  Regifter  for  1793,  which  is 
acknowledged  to  be  a  very  authentick  work,  that  there 
are  a  hundred  and  fifty  townfhips  and  plantations  in  the 
diftricl  of  Maine;  but  not  more  than  fifty  five  fettled 
minifters  :  of  whom  thirty  nine  are  congregationalifts  ; 
fourteen,  baptifts;  one,  a  prefbyterian ;  and  one,  an 
epifcopalian.  In  addition  to  thefe,  there  is  a  Roman 
catholick  miffionary  at  Paffamaquaddy. 

"  The  remains  of  the  Penobfcot  tribe  confift  of  about 
a  hundred  families.  The  tribe  is  increafing,  in  confe- 
quence  of  an  obligation  laid,  by  the  fachems,  on  the 
young  people,  to  marry  early."  The  Penobfcot  tribe,  at 
prefent,  confifts  of  lefs  than  three  hundred  perfoqs.  It  is 
true  that  the  young  people  marry  early  ;  but  notwith- 
ftanding  this,  their  numbers  are  decreafing.* 

P,  353.  "  Maffachufetts.  Length,  a  hundred  and 
twenty  five  miles  ;  breadth,  fifty:  fituated  between  iy 
30'  and  ,5°  40',  eaft  longitude;  and  between  41°  30' 
and  43°,  north  latitude :  contains  fix  thoufand,  two 
hundred,  and  fifty  fquare  miles."  The  fouth  part  of 
the  county  of  Barnftable  is  in  the  latitude  of  41°  30'. 
But  it  the  ifland  of  Nantucket  be  included,  Maffachu- 
fetts is  fituated  between  41°  13'  and  42°  52',  north  lati- 

*  I  am  inJibted  for  this  correction  to  a  Topographical  and  Hiftor- 
ical  Account  of  the  diftricl  of  Maine,  written  by  the  Attorney  Gen- 
eral of  Maflachufetts.  Having  been  indulged  with  a  perufal  of  the 
author's  manufcript,  it  would  be  eafy  to  point  out  feveral  other  mif- 
i,i  Mi-.  M.'s  defcription  of  Maine  :  but  as  the  work  will  be  fyon 
{Hiblilhed,  it  isunnecefcry. 


UNIVERSAL    GEOGRAPHY. 

tucle;  and  between  1°  21'  and  5°  n',  eaft  longitude 
from  Philadelphia.  The  length  of  a  line,  drawn  from  the 
north  weft  corner  of  the  ftate,  to  Plumb  Ifland,  is  a  hun- 
dred and  twenty  miles  ;  and  from  the  fouth  weft  corner 
of  the  ftate,  to  Marfhfield  Point,  a  hundred  and  fifty 
eight  miles.  If  the  latter  be  extended  to  the  high  land 
of  Truro,  the  length  of  Mafldchufetts  will  be  a  hun- 
dred and  eighty  nine  miles.  The  breadth  of  the  ftate, 
in  the  county  of  Berkfliire,  is  torty  eight  miles  and  a 
half ;  the  breadth,  in  the  wideft  part,  ninety  miles.  As 
there  has  never  been  a  complete  furvey  of  the  ftate,  it  is 
impoffible  to  determine  with  exaclnefs,  the  number  o£ 
fquare  miles.  But  from  the  beft  materials  which  I  have 
been  able  to  procure,  I  eftimate  them  in  round  numbers, 
at  nine  thoufand.  If  this  eftimate  be  juft,  the  population 
for  every  fquare  mile  is  forty  two,  and  not  fixty,  as  Mr. 
M.  fuppofes. 

P.  354.  Mr.  M.  is  not  accurate  in  defcribing  the 
courfe  of  Charles  river.  Sherbume  and  Natick  are  fit- 
uated  north  weft  ot  it  ;  and  Dover,  fouth  eaft.  It  does 
not  run  "  through  Newton,"  but  divides  that  townfhig, 
from  Needham,  Wefton,  and  Waltham. 

^'  355-  He  omits  feveral  fmall  rivers,  which  empty 
themfelves  into  Buzzard's  bay,  and  which  are  of  as  much 
importance  as  Parker's  or  Neponfet  river. 

"  The  only  capes  ot  note  are  Cape  Ann  and  Cape 
Cod."  There  are  other  capes  well  known  to  feamen  : 
viz.  Cape  Malabar,  or  Sandy  Point,  which  extends  ten 
miles  fouth  from  Chatham,  toward  Nantucket ;  Cape 
Poge,  the  north  eaft  point  of  Chappaquiddick ;  and 
Gay  Head,  the  weft  point  of  Martha's  Vineyard. 

The  topographical    defcription  of  the  county  of  Barn- 

ftable,  publifhed  in  the  third  volume  ot  the  Maflachufetts 
E. 


34  REMARKS  ON   THE    AMERICAN 

Magazine,  does  great  credit  to  its  author,  as  well  for  its 
accuracy  in  general,  as  for  the  elegant  and  fprightly  man- 
ner  in  which  it  is  written.  With  part  of  this  Mr.  M. 
has  enriched  his  Geography  :  but,  with  his  ufual  hafte, 
he  has  not  thought  proper  to  inquire,  whether  alterations 
have  not  taken  place  fmce  the  year  1791 ;  or  whether 
the  defcription  be  in  any  part  erroneous. 

The  county  of  Barnftable  is  a  long  and  narrow  penin- 
fula,  the  whole  ot  which  is  commonly  called  Cape  Cod, 
though  that  name  ought  to  be  confined  to  the  northern 
point.  The  length  of  this  peninfula  is  fixty  three  miles.* 
The  number  of  fquare  miles  is  tour  hundred  ;  and  of  in- 
habitants, who  have  increafed  fmce  the  year  1790, 
about  eighteen  thoufand.  The  foil  is  in  general  fandy  ; 
and  there  are  few  ftones  below  Harwich.  The  eaflern 
fhore  is  gradually  wafting  ;  and  the  weflern  more,  gain- 
ing upon  the  bay,  at  leaft  in  fome  places.  Cape  Cod 
harbour  is  capacious,  and  fafe,  except  a  ftrong  wind  blows 
from  the  fouth  eaft,  when  veffels  are  expofed  to  drag  their 
anchors,  the  bottom  being  fandy.  Povince  town  con- 
tains a  hundred  and  ten  families,  who  employ  twenty 
eight  fail  of  vefTels  in  the  cod  fifhery.  Not  more  than 
two  of  the  houfes  are  fet  upon  piles :  the  reft  have  cel- 
lars. The  diftance  from  the  village  to  Wood  End  is 
two  miles. — The  reader,  by  comparing  thefe  particulars 
with  Mr.  M.'s  defcription,  p.  3,5,5 — 358,  will  perceive 
in  what  refpefts  he  is  fuppofed  to  be  erroneous. 

P.  3^8.  There  are  other  bays  on  the  coaft  of  Muffa- 
chufetts,  befide  thofe  which  Mr.  M.  has  enumerated. 

*  See  Collections  of  the  MafTachufetts  Hiftorical  Society,  vol.  Ill, 
p.  12.  Mr.  Mellen  makes  the  length,  as  the  road  runs,  fixty  five 
miles:  but  as  meafured  upon  the  charts  ofDes  Barres,  from  Buz- 
zard's bay,  through  the  middle  of  the  land,  the  length  is  not  more 
tha»  fixty  three  miles. 


UNIVERSAL    GEOGRAPHY.  35 

"  Nantucket  fends  one  reprefentative  to  the  general 
affembly."  A  foreigner,  in  reading  this,  and  what  is 
faid  of  Duke's  County,  p.  359,  line  21,  would  fuppofe, 
that  the  towns  of  Maflachufetts  are,  by  law,  unalterably 
reftrifted  in  the  number  of  their  reprefentatives,  without 
regard  to  their  population.  The  truth  is,  that  "  reprefen- 
tatives are  chofen  by  the  feveral  towns,  according  to 
their  numbers  of  rateable  polls."  P.  379.  The  inhab- 
itants of  Nantucket  have  at  prefent  a  right  to  ele£l  five 
reprefentatives ;  and  they  have  frequently  chofen  more 
than  one. 

Mr.  M.  feems  not  to  know  when  Nantucket  was  fet- 
tled. But  if  he  would  inquire  of  fome  of  the  intelligent 
inhabitants  of  the  ifland,  they  could  inform  him,  that 
Nantucket  was  granted  to  Thomas  Mayhew,  by  the  earl 
of  Stirling,  in  the  year  1641  ;  and  that  the  fettlementby 
theEnglifh  commenced  in  the  year  1659. — Many  inter- 
efling  particulars  refpefling  Nantucket  might  be  obtain- 
ed, by  taking  fome  pains. 

•P'  359-  "  Martha's  Vineyard  is  about  twenty  one 
miles  in  length."  Martha's  Vineyard,  exclufive  of  the 
iiland  of  Chappaquiddick,  is  nineteen  miles  in  length. 

"  This  and  the  neighbouring  ifland  conftitute  Duke's 
County,  containing  three  thoufand,  two  hundred,  and 
fixty  five  inhabitants,  between  four  and  five  hundred  of 
whom  are  Indians  and  mulattoes."  Martha's  Vineyard, 
and  the  neighbouring  ifland  of  Chappaquiddick,  togeth- 
er with  Nomanfland,  and  the  Elizabeth  Iflands,  confti- 
tute Duke's  County,  containing  between  three  and  four 
thoufand  inhabitants,  befide  about  four  hundred  and  for- 
ty  Indians  arid  mulattoes.  The  Elizabeth  Iflands,  which 
Mr.  M.  does  not  think  of  fufficient  importance  to  be 
mentioned,  contain  about  fixteen  thoufand,  five  hundred 
acres.  The  foil  in  general  is  fertile,  whilft  that  of  Mar- 


g6  REMARKS  ON   THE    AMERICAN 

tha's  Vineyard  is  fandy,  gravelly,  and  for  the  moft  part 
barren.  There  is  fome  good  land  in  it,  as  Mr.  M.  fug- 
gefts ;  but  about  two  thirds  of  the  ifland  are  fluub  oak 
plain. 

"  Chabaquidick  is  three  miles  long."  Chappaquid- 
dick,  from  Cape  Poge  to  Wafque  Point,  is  fix  miles  long. 

"  The  other  iflands  of  confideration  are  in  Maffachu- 
fetts  bay."  Maffachufeus  bay  is  here  confounded  with 
the  harbour  of  Bofton.  See  p.  373,  line  30. 

A  very  imperfect  idea  is  given  of  the  foil  and  produc- 
tions of  MafTachufetts.  To  fay,  that  "  all  the  varieties 
of  foil,  from  very  good  to  very  bad,  are  to  be  found," 
without  fpecifying,  at  lead  in  general  terms,  the  propor- 
tion of  each,  and  defcribing  more  particularly  the  foil  in 
different  parts  of  the  ftate,  is  not  fatisfafclory  to  a  reader 
of  curiofity. 

P.  360.  "  The  ftaple  commodities  of  this  ftate  are 
fiih,  beef,  and  lumber."  Are  no  other  articles  which 
are  exported  from  MaiTachufetts,  (laple  commodities  ? 

P.  363.  "  In  this  flate  are  twelve  paper  mills."  There 
is  a  paper  mill  in  Springfield,  and  perhaps  others,  which 
Mr.  M.  has  omit  led. 

P.  366.  "  Lynn  beach  may  be  reckoned  a  curiofity." 
By  none,  except  thofe  who  never  faw  any  other  "fmooth 
and  hard"  beach  on  the  fea  coafl.  A  fbore  of  this  na- 
ture is  too  common  in  New  England,  to  be  confidered 
as  a  curiofity. 

P.  367.  "  Yellow  and  red  ochre  have  been  difcover- 
ed  at  Martha's  Vineyard."  I  add,  and  in  other  places. 

"  The  American  Academy  has  a  committee,  by  the 
name  of  the  Agricultural  Committee."  This  was  once 
true;  but  Mr.  M.himfeif  informs  us,  p.  369,  that  thi? 
"  committee  is  diffolved." 


UNIVERSAL    GEOGRAPHY.  37 

P.  368.  In  addition  to  the  huts  which  Mr.  M.  enu- 
merates, the  Humane  Society  have  creeled  one  at  Stout's 
Creek,  near  Cape  Cod. 

P.  369.  Several  focieties  in  Maflachufetts  are  omit- 
ted. 

P.  371,  372.  Mr.  M.  has  given  an  imperfefl  and 
confufed  account  of  Harvard  Univerfity. 

"  Effex  bank,  at  Salem,  was  incorporated  1/92."  Ef- 
fex  hank  is  not  incorporated. 

"Bofton  lies  in  latitude  42°  23',  north."  This  is 
near  the  truth  ;  but  it  does  not  correfpond  with  the  lati- 
tude afligned  to  Bofton  in  p.  41,  which  is  there  42°  25'. 
The  American  Geographer  has  given  three  different  lon- 
gitudes to  Bofton,  none  of  which  are  right :  p.  41,  "  70^ 
37',  weft  longitude  from  Greenwich  ;"  p.  39,  "  70°  25', 
weft  from  London  ;"  vol.  II,  p.  522,  "  71°  4',  weft" 
from  the  fame  meridian. 

P.  373.  "  The  buildings  in  the  town  cover  about  a 
thoufand  acres.  It  contains  nearly  two  thoufand  dwel- 
ling houfes,  and  about  twenty  thoufand  inhabitants." 
The  peninfula  of  Bofton  does  not  contain  more  than  fev- 
en  hundred  acres ;  and  large  fpots  ot  land  are  not  cover- 
ed with  buildings.  In  the  year  1790,  there  were  two 
thoufand,  three  hundred,  and  feventy  fix  houfes,  and 
eighteen  thoufand  and  thirty  eight  inhabitants.  Since 
that  time  new  houfes  have  been  built,  and  the  number  ot 
inhabitants  has  increafed. 

"  The  harbour  of  Bofton  is  diverfified  with  forty  Jfl- 
ands,  which  afford  rich  pafturing,  hay,  and  grain."  Un- 
lefs  every  rock  and  funken  ifland  be  included,  there  are 
not  forty  iflands  in  the  harbour.  Of  thefe  iflands,  not 
more  than  fifteen  are  ot  much  importance  for  their  fize 
or  productions.  The  greateft  number  are  fmall  and  of 
little  value. 


38  REMARKS   ON    THE    AMERICAN 

"  Bo/Ion  was  fettled  as  early  as  the  year  1631."  Bof- 
ton  was  fettled  in  1630. 

P.  376.  Charleftown,  according  to  the  Table  at  the 
end  at  the  fecond  volume,  lies  32',  eait  from  the  meridi- 
an of  Bofton.  Thefe  two  towns  are  under  the  fame  me- 
ridian. 

P.  377.  "  Plymouth  contains  about  three  hundred 
houfes."  In  the  townmip  of  Plymouth,  a  tracl  fifteen 
raiies  long,  and  five,  broad,  there  are  about  three  hundred 
houfes.  But  the  town  confifts  of  lefs  than  two  hundred. 
What  moft  readers  of  the  Univerfal  Geography  will  un- 
derftdnd  by  a  town,  is  a  collection  of  houfes.  Some  ot 
Mr.  M.'s  New  England  towns  hardly  deferve  the  name 
of  villages. 

"  Courts  are  held  in  Hadley  and  Decrfield."  They 
are  not  held  in  thefe  two  places. 

"  Lenox  [is  one  of]  the  principal  towns  in  Berkfhire 
county."  Lenox  is  the  (hire  town  of  the  county  of 
Berklhire ;  but  in  wealth,  it  ranks  the  tenth  townfhip,  and 
in  population,  the  fourteenth.  There  is  in  it  no  collec- 
tion of  houfes,  which  is  entitled  to  a  more  important 
name  than  that  ot  a  hamlet. 

P.  378.  The  ftatement  of  the  number  of  the  feveral 
religious  denominations  in  MaflachuTetts  is  very  errone- 
ous, as  well  as  inconfiflent  with  other  parts  of  the  Uni- 
verfal Geography.  "  We  reckon  the  number  of  inhab- 
itants in  the  ftate  at  three  hundred,  and  fifty  eight  thou- 
iand,  fevcn  hundred,  and  ninety  eight."  Mr.  M.  knows 
very  well,  that  in  the  year  1790,  there  were,  in  Mafia, 
chufetts  and  Maine,  four  hundred  and  feventy  fivethou- 
fand,  three  hundred,  and  twenty  feven  inhabitants.  But 
he  has  adopted  his  flatemcnt  from  a  former  edition  ;  and 
is  in  too  much  hafle,  to  make  it  agree  with  the  cenfus. 


UNIVERSAL    GEOGRAPHY.  39 

"  Congregationaliits,  four  hundred  congregations ;  bap- 
lifts,  eighty  four;  prefbyterians,  four ;  univerfJifh,  two." 
In  p.  252,  he  fays,  that  there  are  tour  hundred  i*id  lortv 
congregational  focieties.  In  p.  257,  he  dates  the  biptifts 
at.  a  hundred  and  feven  churches.  According  to  Fleet's 
Regifter,  there  are  five  prefbyterian  churches,  and  cqe 
fociety  of  methodifts.  Mr.  M.  is  difpofed  to  Icffen  tlu 
number  of  the  univerfalifts ;  but  they  have  at  leaft  fou; 
congregations  in  MafTachufetts.  He  fuppofes  "  that  each 
religious  fociety,  of  every  denomination,  is  compofed  of 
an  equal  number  of  fouls  :"  and  he  fays,  that  his  "ap- 
portionment of  the  different  fefts  is  perhaps  as  accurate, 
as  the  nature  of  the  fubjeft  wi',1  allow."  It  is  not  as  ac- 
curate as  he  himfelf  might  have  made  it,  with  very  little 
pains.  The  epifcopalians  are  few,  and  their  focieties, 
except  one  in  Bofton,  bear  no  proportion  to  thofe  of  the 
congregationaliils.  The  focieties  of  the  baptifls,  with 
fome  exceptions,  are  alfo  fmall.  If  Mr.  Afplund'3  fup. 
pofuion  (p.  257)  be  juft,  the  number  ot  this  denomina- 
tion is  not  more  than  twenty  one  thoufand,  three  hun- 
dred, and  forty  eight.  Making  the  moil  liberal  deduc- 
tions for  the  other  denominations,  the  number  of  con- 
gregationalifts,  in  Maflachufetts  and  Maine,  may  be  efti- 
mated  at  four  hundred  and  thirty  four  thoufand.  Mr. 
M.  ftates  it  at  two  hu  ndred  and  feventy  feven  thoufand, 
fix  hundred. 

P.  379.     "  Taxes  are   levied  on   all  males  between 

fixteen  and  fifty,  except  fuch  as  are  exempted  by  law." 
Poll  taxes  are  levied  on  all  males  who  are  upwards  of 
fixteen,  except  fuch  as  are  exempted  by  law,  or  who  are 
excufed  by  poverty,  age,  or  infirmity. 

"  They  [the  general  court]  meet  annually  on  the  laft 
Tuefday  in  May."  This  miftake  is  repeated  from  foimer 
editions. 


4<D  REMARKS  ON   THE    AMERICAN 

P.  381.    "  Rhode  Ifland,  and  Providence  Plantations. 
Length,  fhty  eight  miles;  breadth,  forty  miles :  fituated 
between  3°  and  4°,    eaft  longitude  ;   and  between  41° 
and  ^°,  north  latitude."     Rhode  Ifland  is  fituated  be- 
tween 3°  11'  and  4°  i',  eaft  longitude  ;  and  between  41? 
2^'  and  42°    2',   north   latitude.     The   fouth   part  of 
Block  Ifland  is  in  the  latitude  of  41°  8'.     The  length  is 
brty  fix  miles.     The  breadth,   in   the  wideft  part,  is 
thirty  eight  miles ;  and  in  that  part   o£  the   ftate  which 
/lies  weft  of  Narraganfet  bay,  twenty  three  miles.     The 
/   number  of  fquare  miles  is  about  thirteen  hundred ;   and 
the  population  for  every  fquare  mile,  fifty  three  . 

£.  382.  The  ifland  of  "  Rhode  Ifland  is  thirteen 
miles  in  length."  From  Common  fence  Point,  to 
Brenton's  Point,  in  a  flraight  line,  the  diftance  is  fixteen 
miles.  The  length  of  the  ifland,  on  a  meridian,  is  four- 
teen miles  and  a  half. 

"  Canonnicut  Ifland  is  fix  miles  in  length."  Canon- 
nicut  Ifland  is  above  eight  miles  in  length. 

"  Prudence  Ifland  is  nearly  or  quite  as  large  as  Ca- 
nonnicut." Prudence  IfiUnd,  which  is  fix  miles  long,  in  a 
flraight  line,  and  near  eight,  following  its  curves,  is  about 
one  half  the  fize  of  Canonnicut. 

P.  383.  Mr.  M.  does  not  appear  to  be  pleafed  with 
the  ftate  of  rdigion  in  Rhode  Ifland.  The  unlimited 
toleration,  which  has  always  exifted  in  this  ftate,  has  pro- 
duced a  variety  of  fe£ls  ;  and  this  our  Geographer  con- 
fiders  as  a  very  ferious  evil.  But  this  is  not  the  worft 
effecl.  For  "  there  is  a  confiderable  number  of  the  peo- 
ple, who  can  be  reduced  to  no  particular  denomination  ;" 
or,  as  Mr.  M.  exprefles  it  in  a  former  edition,  who  "  are, 
as  to  religion,  ftriclly  nothingarians."  And,  "  in  many 
towns,  publick  v/or[hip  js  too  much  neglecled  by  the 


UNIVERSAL    GEOGRAPHY.  41 

greater  part  of  the  inhabitants."  Mr.  M.  ufes  words  in 
fo  loofe  a  fenfe,  that  it  is  not  eafy  to  fay,  what  he  means 
by  con/iderable  number,  many  towns,  and  greater  part. 
Perhaps  therefore,  he  will  not  charge  me  with  contra- 
di&ing  him,  when  I  aflert,  upon  the  authority  of:  Tome 
refpeftable  gentlemen  of  Rhode  Ifland,  that  there  are  a 
few  only  of  the  people  of  this  ftate,  who  do  not  clafs 
themfelves  with  fome  religious  fe6l ;  and  that  in  few  ot 
the  towns,  publick  worfhip  is  neglected  by  the  greater 
part  of  the  inhabitants.  In  this  negleft  Rhode  Ifland  is 
not  peculiar  ;  for  there  are  fome  towns  in  Maffachufetts 
(to  fay  nothing  of  other  ftates)  in  which  a  majority  of  the 
people  do  not  attend  publick  worfhip. 

This  reproach  againft  Rhode  Ifland  is  not  new.  For 
the  friends  of  religious  eftablifhments  have  always  view- 
ed the  people  of  this  ftate  with  an  evil  eye  ;  and  have 
readily  given  credit  to  every  flanderous  report,  which 
has  been  raifed  againft  them.  The'canduland  excellent 
Mr.  Callender,  above  fifty  years  ago,  obferved,  that  the 
inhabitants  of  Rhode  Ifland  were  "  reprefented  as  living 
without  a  publick  worihip,  and  as  ungofpelized  planta- 
tions." But  he  then  aflerted,  and  it  muft  ilill  be  acknowl- 
edged, ihat  "  notwithftanding  the  liberty  and  indulgence 
allowed,  the  form  of  godlinefs  was  every  where  maintain- 
ed."* It  is  true,  that  the  "  people  pay  no  taxes  for  the 
fupport  of  ecclefiafticks  of  any  denomination  :"  but  there 
is  no  townfhip  in  the  ftate,  which  has  not  one  or  more 
religious  focieties.  The  faft  is,  that  the  religious  focie- 
ties  are  numerous,  in  proportion  to  the  population  ; 
there  heing  above  eighty  of  various  denominations. 
Of  thefe.not  more  than  eighteen  are  deftitute  of  minifters, 
There  are,  in  proportion,  as  many  vacant  churches  in 
Maflachufetts. 

*  Century  Sermon,  p.  68. 

F 


4-2  REMARKS  ON    THE    AMERICAN 

"  A  peculiarity  which  diftinguifhes  this  ftate  from 
every  other  proteftant  country  in  the  known  world  is, 
that  no  co-ntraft  formed  by  the  miniller  with  his  people, 
for  his  falary,  is  valid  in  law.  So  that  minifters  are  de- 
pendent wholly  on  the  integrity  of  the  people  for  their 
fupport,  fmce  their  falaries  are  not  recoverable  by  law." 
It  is  not  my  intention  to  vindicate  this  regulation  ;  but 
I  would,  on  this  occafion,  adopt  the  words  of  Mr.  Cal- 
lender  :*  "That  man,  who  will  go  about  to  juftify,  or 
condemn,  a  party,  in  the  grofs,  and  without  diftinftion, 
fhall  never  be  approved  or  imitated  by  me."  It  appears 
to  me,  that  the  zeal  of  the  inhabitants  of  Rhode  Ifland 
againft  religious  eftablifhrnents,  honourable  as  it  is  to 
them  in  general,  has,  in  fome  inftances,  hurried  them 
into  the  oppofite  extreme.  Mr.  M.  however,  in  my 
opinion,  has  exprefled  himfelf  with  too  much  warmth. 
For  though  the  law  is  wrong,  yet  the  people  have  fo 
much  integrity  and  generofity,  that  no  bad  effefts  refult 
from  it.  This  the  American  Geographer  is  compelled 
to  acknowledge  in  his  prefent  edition.  For  he  now 
oblerves,  what  he  ought  to  have  known  nine  years  ago, 
"that  the  clergy  in  general  are  liberally  maintained,  and 
none  who  merit  it,  have  reafon  to  complain  for  want  of 
fupport." 

Not  fatisfied  with  reprefenting  the  inhabitants  of 
Rhode  Ifland  as  irreligious,  in  the  fame  page,  Mr.  M. 
reprefents  them  as  an  ignorant  people.  "  The  litera- 
ture of  this  ftate  is  confined  principally  to  the  towns  of 
Newport  and  Providence.  There  are  men  of  learning 
and  abilities  fcattered  though  other  towns,  but  they  are 
rare.  The  bulk  of  the  inhabitants,  in  other  parts  of  the 
ftate,  are  involved  in  greater  ignorance  perhaps,  than  in 

*     Century  Sermon,  p.  52. 


UNIVERSAL    GEOGRAPHY.  43 

moft  other  parts  of  New  England.  An  impartial  hif- 
tory  of  their  tranfaclions  fince  the  peace,  would  evince 
the  truth  of  the  above  obfei  vations."  Mr.  M.  qualifies 
this  inveftive  with  the  words  principally  and  perhaps, 
which,  in  fome  degree,  blunt  the  edge  of  it.  He  may 
think  me  too  confident  in  afiertion,  when  I  fay,  that  the 
literature  ot  the  ftate  is  not  confined  to  Newport  and 
Providence  ;  and  that  though  there  may  not  be  as  many 
men  of  learning,  as  in  the  two  adjoining  ftates,  yet  that 
the  inhabitants  are  not  involved  in  greater  ignorance, 
than  the  inhabitants  of  many  other  parts  of  New  Eng- 
land. An  impartial  hiftory  of  fome  tranfaftions  of  the 
government  of  Rhode  Ifland,  fince  the  peace,  I  confefs, 
would  not  be  very  honourable  to  thofe  who  were  engag- 
ed in  them.  But  the  people  ought  not,  on  account  of 
them,  to  be  charged  with  ignorance.  A  few  defigning 
men  may,  for  a  time,  lead  even  a  well  informed  people, 
into  abfurd  and  difhoneft  meafures.  During  this  period, 
as  Mr.  M.  fays,  p.  302,  "  the  ftate  was  governed  by  a 
facliun."  Plaufib'c  reafons  were  urged  in  favour  of  a 
paper  medium,  by  men  who  were  more  corrupt  than  ig- 
norant; and  thofe  who  oppofed  this  meafure,  though 
numerous  and  refpeftable,  were  out-voted.  At  the  pref- 
ent  moment,  the  inhabitants  of  Rhode  Ifland  are  as  ju- 
dicious in  their  conduct,  and  as  firm  in  the  fupport  of 
the  federal  government,  as  their  neighbours.  They 
ought  therefore  to  recover  their  reputation  with  the 
American  Geographer. 

Mr.  M.  is  offended  with  the  people  of  Rhode  Ifland, 
for  rejecting  the  federal  conftitution  in  their  town  meet- 
ings. (See  p.  306.)  But  though  this  government  has  been 
found,  upon  experiment,  to  promote  the  happinefs  of 
the  people;  yet  Mr.  M.  may  remember,  that  when  i< 


44  REMARKS   ON    THE    AMERICAN 

was  firft  propofed,  the  minds  of  many  good  men,  in  oth- 
er ftates,  were  alarmed  with  fears  and  jealoufies.  The 
majority  oi  the  Rhode  Ifland  convention,  which  finally 
adopted  it,  was  indeed  fmall.  But  it  may  beai'ked,  which 
is  inoft  honourable  to  a  community,  to  examine  a  con- 
{titution  ot  government  with  care;  to  hefitate  for  a 
while  ;  to  reject,  hecaufe  it  was  fuppofed  imperfect ;  but 
at  length,  overcome  by  convincing  evidence,  as  well  as 
by  a  lenfe  ot  intereft,  to  adopt,  and  when  adopted,  firm- 
ly to  fupport :  or,  to  receive  implicitly,  and  without  in- 
quiry and  without  debate,  to  vote,  unanimoufly  ? 

If  the  tranfaclions  of  a  legiflaturc  muft  fix  the  flamp 
of  knowledge  or  ignorance  upon  a  people,  Maifachufetts 
came  very  near  being  involved  in  the  fame  reproach, 
which  Mr.  M.  has  call  upon  Rhode  Ifiand.  A  fmall 
change  in  the  general  court,  would  have  introduced  a 
paper  cunency,  which  muft  neceffarily  have  depreciated ; 
and  a  trifling  alteration  in  the  convention  of  1788,  would 
have  enfured  the  rejection  of  the  iedeial  conftitution. 
In  five  counties  there  was  a  majority  of  votes  again/I  it. 
But  no  candid  man,  I  prefume,  will  affirm,  that  thofe 
counties  are  involved  in  greater  ignorance,  than  fotne 
counties,  in  which  there  was  a  majority  in  its  favour. 

In  every  edition  of  Mr.  M.'s  Geography,  he  repeats 
the  charge  ot  ignorance  ugaind  Rhode  Uland.  This 
want  of  candour  probably  proceeds,  in  part,)from  relig- 
ious prejudice.  For  "  the  baptifls  are  the  moft  numer- 
ous of  any  denomination  in  the  date."  Where  the 
baptifls  predominate,  there,  in  the  American  Geograph. 
er's  opinion,  ignorance  muft  abound.  That  this  is  his 
fentimentjhe  has  declared  in  fufficiently  plain  terms, inhis 
Geography  Made  Eafy,  New  Haven,  1784.  For  in  that 
book,  p.  32,  he  fpeaks  of  the  baptifls  of  Mauachufetts  in 
the  following  manner :  "  The  baptifls  are  a  numerous, 


UNIVERSAL    GEOGRAPHY.  45 

growing,  litigious,  and  illiterate  fet  of  people."  It  is  true 
that  Mr.  M.  omitted  this  paffage  in  his  fubfequent  edi- 
tions. But  whilft  he  fixes  the  ftigma  of  peculiar  igno- 
rance upon  a  (late,  where  the  baptifts  are  the  moil  nu- 
merous, it  difcovers  no  want  of  candour  to  believe,  that 
he  ftill  retains  the  fame  prejudice  againft  that  worthy 
body  of  chriftians. 

It  the  baptifts  be  ignorant,  as  the  American  Geograph- 
er infmuates,  it  is  not  owing  to  their  not  taking  pains  to 
obtain  knowledge  ;  nor  can  they  be  juilly  charged  with 
being  hoftile  to  learning.  Chiefly  through  their  patron- 
age, a  college  has  been  founded  in  Rhode  Ifland,  and  is 
now  in  a  flourifhing  ftate.  Ignorant  men  are  frequently 
illiberal.  But  the  college  of  Rhode  Ifland  is  upon  a  re- 
markably liberal  plan,  and  does  great  credit  to  its  found- 
ers. In  conferring  literaiy  honours,  and  in  the  choice 
of  inftruftors,  ihe  rellows  and  truftees  have  been  guided 
by  the  mod  generous  and  catholick  fpirit ;  and  have  paid 
no  regard  to  diftinclions  of  fefts,  or  difference  of  fenti- 
ment. 

In  a  word,  many  thing?  may  be  urged  in  favour  of 
Rhode  Ifland,  by  a  writer  difpofed  to  do  juflice  to  the 
ilatc.  This  happy  fpot  can  boaft  the  diftinguilhed  hon- 
our, of  being  the  firft  in  fetting  the  example  of  an  unlim- 
ited toleration  ;*  an  example  which  has  fmce  been  fol- 
lowed by  every  other  flate  in  the  union.  Except  in  a 
few  dark  intervals,  the  civil  and  religious  freedom  which 
it  has  enjoyed,  has  rendered  its  fuuation  peaceable  and 
happy.  At  prefent,  it  is  in  a  very  profpercus  condition. 

*  "  It  is  much  to  the  honour  of  the  government  of  RhoJe  Ifland, 
that  there  never  was  an  inftance  of  pcrfecuticu  for  conference  fake 
countenanced  byt!:em."  B?!!:n:>r'r  Hifl.i:  flure,  vol.  I, 

p.  89. 


46  REMARKS  ON  THE    AMERICAN 

In  proportion  to  its  extent,  it  is  the  moft  populous  of 
any  of  the  United  States.  In  proportion  to  its  popula- 
tion, it  is  the  moft  commercial  ;  if  we  may  form  our 
judgment  from  its  exports,  which  laft  year,  amounted 
to  the  value  of  fix.  hundred,  and  ninety  eight  thoufand, 
and  eighty  four  dollars.  Its  merchants  areenterprifing  ; 
and  the  people  in  general,  induftrious.  The  manners 
and  virtues  which  render  fociety  pleafing,  are  as  often 
difplayed  in  this,  as  in  any  other  ftate.*  The  fathers 
of  the  colony,  Williams  and  Coddington,  were  not  inle> 
riour  in  merit  to  the  founders  of  the  other  North  Amer- 
ican colonies.  Nor  has  the  ftate,  in  any  period,  been 
deftitute  of  eminent  men,  who  have  done  honour  to 
their  country  by  their  abilities  and  virtue. 

P.  387.  "  Newport  lies  in  latitude  41°  35'."  The 
latitude  of  Newport  is  41°  30',  and  the  longitude,  weft 
from  London  71°  12',  and  not  71°  6',  as  Mr.  M.  fays, 
vol.  II,' p.  528. 

P.  389.  "  Briftol  is  about  fixteen  miles  north  of  New- 
port." The  diftance  between  thefe  towns  is  thirteen 
miles. 

P.  391.  "As  the  original  inhabitants  of  this  ftate 
were  perfecuted,  at  hajl  in  their  own  opinion,  for  the 
fake  of  confcience,  a  moft  liberal  and  free  toleration  was 
eftablifhed  by  them." — Is  it  Mr.  M.'s  opinion,  that  the 
fettlers  of  Rhode  Hand  were  not  perfecuted  ?  "  So  lit- 
tle has  the  civil  authority  to  do  with  religion  here,  that, 
as  has  been  already  hinted,  no  contract  between  a  min- 
ifrcr  and  a  fociety  funlefs  incorporated  for  that  purpofe) 
is  of  any  force.  It  is  probably  for  the/e  reafons,  that  fo 

*  "  Benevolence  anil  hofpitality  remarkably  characterize  the  peo- 
ple of  Rhode  I/IanJ."  Conftitutions  of  the  United  State?,  p.  51,  z«l 
euit.  Boilon,  1784. 


UNIVERSAL    GEOGRAPHY.  4/ 

many  different  fefts  have  ever  been  found  here ;  and 
that  the  fabbath  and  all  religious  inftitutions,  have  ever 
been  more  neglefted  in  this,  than  in  any  other  of  the 
New  England  dates."  It  muft  afford  pleafure  to  the 
candid  reader  to  contraft  thefe  hints,  againft  a  free  toler- 
ation, and  in  favour  of  the  civil  authority's  interfering 
in  religion,  with  the  manly  and  chriftian  fentiments  of 
the  baptifl  Callender,  expreffed  in  the  following  extract 
from  his  Century  Sermon,  p.  103 — 109. 

"Liberty  of  confcience  was  the  bafis  of  this  colony. 
Our  fathers  thought  it  jufl  and  neceffary  to  allow  each 
other  mutually  to  worihip  God,  as  their  confciences  were 
refpeftively  perfuaded.  They  thought  no  man  had  pow- 
er over  the  fpirit  of  God ;  and  that  the  duty  of  the  mag- 
iftrate  was  to  leave  every  man  to  follow  the  light  of  his 
confcience.  They  were  willing  to  exhibit  to  the  world 
an  inftance,  that  liberty  of  confcience  was  confident  with 
the  publick  peace,  and  the  flourifhing  of  a  civil  com- 
monwealth ;  as  well  as  that  chriftianitv  could  fubfift 
without  compulfion  ;  and  that  bearing  each  other's  bur- 
dens, was  the  way  to  fulfil  the  law  of  Chrift. 

"The  experiment  has  fully  anfwered,  and  even 

beyond  what  might  have  been  expecled,  from  the  Jirjl 
attempt.  The  civil  (late  has  flourifhed  as  we'!,  as  if  fe- 
cured  by  ever  fo  many  penal  laws,  and  an  inquifition  to 
put  them  in  execution.  Our  civil  officers  have  been 
chofen  out  of  every  religious  fociety  ;  and  the  publick 
peace  has  been  as  well  preferved,  and  the  publick  coun- 
cils as  well  conducted,  as  we  could  have  expected,  had 
we  been  affifted  by  ever  fo  may  religious  tefls. 

"  AH  profanenefs  and  immorality  are  punifhed  by 
the  laws  made  to  fupprefs  them ;  and  while  thefe  laws  are 
we!!  executed,  fpccuiative  opinions,  or  modes  of  worfhip. 


48  REMARKS  ON   THE    AMERICAN 

can  never  difturb  or  injure  the  peace  of  a  ftate,  that  al- 
lows all  its  fubjefts  an  equal  liberty  of  confcience.  In- 
deed it  is  not  variety  of  opinions,  or  Reparation  in  wor- 
fliip,  that  makes  diforders  and  coniufions  in  government : 
It  is  the  unjuft,  unnatural,  and  abi'urd  attempt  to  force  all 
to  be  of  one  opinion,  or  to  feign  and  diflemble  that  they 
are. 

"  Liberty  of  confcience  was  never  more  fully  enjoy- 
ed in  any  place,  than  here  :  and  this  colony,  with  fome 
fince  formed  on  the  fame  model,  have  proved  that  the 
terrible  fears,  that  barbarity  would  break  in,  where  no 
particular  forms  of  worfhip  or  difcipline  are  eftablifhed 
by  the  civil  power,  are  really  vain  and  groundlefs  ;  and 
that  chriftianity  can  fubfift  without  a  national  church, 
or  vifible  head  ;  and  without  being  incorporated  into  the 
ftate.  It  fubfilted  fo  for  the  firft  three  hundred  years; 
yea,  in  oppofition  and  defiance  to  all  the  powers  of  hell 
and  earth." 

P.  392.  "Connecticut.  Length,  eighty  two  miles  ; 
breadth,  fifty  feven  :  fituated  between  i°,5o'  and  3°  20', 
eaft  longitude."  The  difference  ot  longitude,  between 
the  north  eaft.  corner  of  Thompfon.and  the  north  weft  cor- 
ner  ot  Greenwich,  is  as  much  as  1°  56'.  Mr.  M.  makes 
the  difference  of  longitude,  between  the  eaftern  and  wef- 
tern  extremities  of  the  ftate,  no  more  than  1°  30'. 

P.  393.  "  The  divifional  line  between  Connecticut 
and  Maffachufetts,  as  fettled  in  1713,  was  found  to  be 
about  fevcnty  two  miles  in  length.  The  fea  coaft,  from 
the  mouth  of  Paukatuk  river,  to  the  mouth  of  Byram 
river,  is  reckoned  at  about  ninety  miles."  According 
to  Blodget's  map,  the  north  line  of  Connecticut  is  nine- 
ty four  miles  in  length;  and  the  diftance  between  the 
mouth  of  Paukatuk  river,  and  the  mouth  of  Byram  riv- 


UNIVERSAL    GEOGRAPHY.  49 

er,  a  hundred  and  three  miles.  Of  Blodget's  map  I 
have  heard  this  character,  from  the  firft  authority,  that 
it  is  the  bed  which  has  hitherto  been  published ;  that  it 
is  erroneous  in  feveral  minute  parts,  but  that  the  outlines 
of  the  ftate  are  accurate.  It  is  one  confirmation  of  it,  that 
it  correfponds  exactly  with  Holland's  correft  chart  of  the 
fea  coaft,  publifhed  in  1787.  This  map  therefore  appears 
to  me  a  better  authority  than  Douglafs's  Summary,  from 
which  Mr.  M.  has  borrowed  his.  lines.*  The  length  of 
Counefticut.from  the  north  weft  corner  of  Greenwich, on 
a  due  eaft  line,  to  the  longitude  of  Paukatuk  river,  is  about 
a  hundred  miles.  The  breadth,  in  the  wideft  part,  isv 
above  feventy  two  miles,  if,  as  I  conjecture,  the  north 
weft  corner  of  the  ftate  is  fituated  further  north  than  the 
latitude  42°  2'.  The  line  dividing  Connecticut  from 
Rhode  Ifland,  is,  as  Mr.  M.  ftates  it,  forty  five  miles.t 
The  contents  of  the  ftate  are  about  five  thoufand,  four 
hundred  fquare  miles ;  and  the  population  for  every 
fquare  mile,  forty  four.  According  to  Mr.  M,"  Connec- 
ticut contains  about  four  thoufand, fix  liundred,and  feven- 
ty four  fquare  miles;  equal  to  about  two  millions,  fix 
hundred,  and  forty  thoufand  acres."  He  has  here  made 
another  miftake  in  his  arithmetick. 

P.  398.  "  Connecticut  is  the  moft  populous,  in  pro- 
portion to  its  extent,  of  any  of  the  thirteen  ftates."  Rhode 
Ifland  is  the  moft  populous  of  any  of  the  fifteen  ftates. 
If  we  muft  believe  Mr.  M.  however,  in  another  part  of 
his  work,  Mafllichufetts,  exclufive  of  Maine,  is  the  moft 
populous  part  of  the  United  States.  See  p.  353. 

Under  the  head  of  the  Character  of  the  inhabitants  of 
Connecticut,  the  American  Geographer  has  an  oppor- 

*  See  Dougl.  Sum.  vol.  I,  p.  416,  and  vol."  II,  p.  161. 
f  A  point  of  Rhode  Ifland  extends  about  a  mile  furf  c. 

G 


£O  REMARKS  ON   THE    AMERICAN 

tunity  of  difcovering  his  prejudice  againft  lawyers.     He 
feems  to  confider  it  as  an  evil,  that  there  is  "  a  numerous 
body"  of  them  in  the  ftate.     In  another  part  of  his  work, 
he  triumphs  in  the  idea,  that  a  lawyer  cannot  live  with- 
in fixty  miles  of  the  county  of  Cape  May,  in  Newjerfey. 
See  p.  466.     But  thefe  facls  prove  no  more,  than  mat 
Connecticut  is  a  rich  and  populous    ftate;  and  that   the 
fouthern  part  of  New  Jerfey  is  a  barren  country,    and 
thinly  fettled.     In  the  firft  edition  of  his  Geography,  he 
fpoke  in  much    plainer  terms   againft  the  gentlemen  of 
the  bar  :*  "  Lawyers  have  united  here,   [in    South   Ca- 
rolina,] as  well  as  in  moft  other  ftates,  the  (kill  and  dex- 
terity   of  the  fcribe  with  the  power  and  ambition  of  the 
prince :   who   can  tell   where  this  may  lead  in  a  future 
day  ?    The  nature  of  our  laws,  and  the  fpirit  of  freedom, 
which  often  tends  to  make  us  litigious,  muft  neceflarily 
throw  the  greatefl  part  of  the  property  of  the  United 
States  into  the  hands  of  thefc  gentlemen.     In  another 
century,  the  law  will  poffefs  in  the  north,  what  now  the 
church  poffeffes  in  Peru  and  Mexico."     It  muft,  in  juf- 
tice  to  the  American  Geographer,   be  acknowledged, 
that  he  has  become  more  candid,  fince  he  wrote,  or  rath- 
er copied,  this  inveftive.     For  in  his  prefent  edition,  he 
defcribes  lawyers  as  a  harmlefs  fort  of  animals,  which, 
like  rattlefnakes,  never  bite  thofe  who  do  not  come  within 
their  reach.     See  p.  466.    "  Many  of   the  people  here, 
[in  New  Jerfey,]  as  in  other  ftates,  think  (becaufe  per- 
haps they  are  inftruments  in  obliging  them  to  pay  their 
debts)  that  the  lawyers   know  too  much.      But  their 
knowledge  will  not  injure  thofe  who  are  innocent,    and 
who  will  let  them  alone." 

*  Geography  Made  Eafy,  p.  Si- 


UNIVERSAL     GEOGRAPHY.  5! 

"Religion.  Such  as  is  happily  adapted  to  a  republi- 
can government.  As  to  the  mode  of  exercifing  church 
government  and  difcipline,  it  might  not  improperly  be 
called  a  republican  religion."  Mr.  M.  probably  intends 
here  the  congregational  religion.  But  no  fatisfaftory 
reafon.  can  be  given,  why  it  is  more  happily  adapted  to 
a  republican  government,  than  many  other  religions  ia 
the  United  States. 

Republican,   hoxvever,  as  the  congregational  religion 
is,  yet,  it  fcems,  the  minifters  of  it  are  ariflocrats.     For 
in  the  paragraph  preceding  that  which  I  have  juft  quot- 
ed, Mr.  M.  fays,  "  The  clergy,  who  are  numerous,  and,  as 
id  body,  very  refpeBable,   have  hitherto  preferved  a  kind 
of  ariftrocratical  balance  in  the  very  democratical  gov- 
ernment of  the  ftate ;   which  has  happily  operated  as  a 
check  upon   the  overbearing  fpirit  of  republicanifm." 
That  the  miniilers  of  Connecticut  are  a  very  refpefta- 
b!e  body  of  men,   I  fully  believe.     And  that  they  have 
always  defervedly  enjoyed  a  large  fhare  of  influence  in 
the  (late,    I  alfo  allow.     But  it  appears  to   rne  nothing 
better  than  an  abufe  of  words,  to  ftyle  this  an  ariftocrai- 
ical  influence.      The  minifters  of  Connecticut  are  chol- 
en  by  the  people,  and  are  dependent  upon  them  tor  their 
fupport.     Their  falaries  are  fmall,  and  are  not  fufficient 
to  raife  them  above  their  parifhioners.    They  are  affable 
in  converfation,  hofpiiable  to  ftrangers.  pure  in  their  mor- 
als, and   of  exemphry  piety.     As  they  are  laborious  in 
the  duties  of   their   profeflion,   attentive  in  difcharging 
the  offices   of  humanity,  the  friends  and  the  fathers  ot 
their  flocks,  it  is  not  to  be  wondered  at,  that  their  influ- 
ence mould  be  great  among  an  intelligent  and  religious 
people.     In    Connecticut,  as  Mr.  M.  fnggefts,  knowl- 
edge is  more  generally  diffufed,  than  in  any  other  part 


52  REMARKS   ON    THE    AMERICAN 

of  America.  In  every  parifh  are  to  be  found  men  of 
liberal  education,  lawyers,  phyficians,  and  others,  who 
are  generally  the  firmeft  fupports  of  an  enlightened  min- 
iflry.  i  Inflead  therefore  of  denominating  the  influence 
of  the  clergy  of  Connecticut,  an  ariftocratical  influence  ; 
it  ought  rather  to  be  denominated  the  influence  of  \vif- 
tloin,  virtue  and,  piety. 

P.  401.  "A  fair  is  held  [at  Wcthersfield]  twice  a 
year."  I  have  been  informed,  that  a  fair  is  not  now 
held  at  Wethersfield. 

To  conclude  my  remarks  upon  the  defcription  of  Con- 
neclicut,  I  am  ready  to  acknowledge,  that  it  is  wiitten 
vviih  more  care,  and  is  probably  more  accurate,  than  any 
Cther  defciipiion  which  is  propejly  Mr.  M.'s  own. 
Some  readers  rr-av  charge  him  \vith  being  paitial  to  his 
native  itate.  But  to  me  it  appears,  not  that  he  has  done 
Connecticut  more,  but  that  he  has  done  other  dates  lefs, 
than  juftice. 

As  I  polfcfs  very  little  knowledge  of  the  middle  and 
foiuhern  ftatey,  it  is  not  in  my  power  to  make  many  re- 
marks upon  the  remaining  part  of  the  full  volume.  I 
{hail,  however,  note  a  tew  errours,  and  fome  prejudices. 
P.  417.  "  New  York  is  fuuuted  between  40°  40'  and 
.j,50,  north  latitude  ;  and  between  z°t  weft,  and  1°  30', 
call  longitude."  Including  Long  Idand,  New  York  is 
fuuated  between  40°  30' and  45°,  north  latitude;  and 
the  flaie  extends  as  far  eafl  as  3°  6',  eaft  longitude. 
Long  Jiland  ought  undoubtedly  to  be  included,  as  it  is 
feparated  from  York  Ifland  by  a  river  only,  which,  in 
the  narrowed  part,  is  Icfs  than  half  a  mile  in  breadth. 

P.  431.  "An  inquirer,  who  would  wilh  to  acquaint 
himfelf  with  the  (late  of  the  people  of  New  York,  their 
manners  and  government, would  naturally  aflc  the  citizens 


UNIVERSAL    GEOGRAPHY.  53 

for  their  focieties  for  the  encouragement  of  fciences, 
arts,  manufactures,  &c  ?  For  their  publick  libraries?  For 
their  patrons  of  literature  ?  Their  well  regulated  acade- 
mies ?  For  their  female  academy  for  inftrufting  young 
ladies  in  geography,  hiftory,  belles  Ifettres,  &c  ?  Such  in- 
quiries might  be  made  with  propriety,  but  could  not  at 
prefent  be  anfwered  fatisfdclorily."  When  this  pafTage 
was  mil  written,  there  might  be  fome  propriety  in  it. 
But  it  ought  not  to  have  been  admitted  into  the  prefent 
edition.  For  Mr.  M.  informs  the  publick,  p.  439,  that 
there  are  in  the  city  of  New-York,  a  "  fociety  for  pro- 
moting ufeful  knowledge,  upon  an  eftablifhment  fimilar 
to  other  philofophica!  focieties  in  Europe  and  America  ; 
a  fociety  lor  the  manumiffion  of  flaves ;  a  marine  focie- 
ty ;  a  fociety  for  the  relief  of  poor  debtors  confined  in 
jail  ;  a  manufacturing  fociety  ;  an  agricultural  fociety  ; 
and  a  medical  fociety."  To  thefe  he  might  add  the  St. 
Tammany  Society,  the  objetls  of  which  are  fimilar  to 
thofe  of  the  Hiftorical  Society  of  MafTachufetts.  Befide 
thefe  focieties,  there  is  a  college  in  the  city  of  New  York, 
and  eight  incorporated  academies  in  different  parts  of  the 
{late.— A  New  York  inquirer,  in  return,  mighuafk  Mr. 
M.  for  thephilofophical  focieties  of  fome  of  his  favourite 
dates.  But  fuch  inquiries  could  not  at  prefent  be  an- 
fwered  fdiisf«.6tori!y.  The  truth,  however,  is,  that  the 
learning  of  a  country  cannot  always  be  determined  from 
the  number  of  its  literary  focieties.  Confpici  quam  pro- 
df/fe,  ought  in  general  to  be  the  motto  of  fuch  inftitutions. 
Their  moft  important  labours  are  commonly  performed 
in  the  infancy  of  their  exiftence.  But  after  a  few  years,  the 
majority  of  members  fatisfy  themielves  wi;h  annexing 
to  their  names  the  empty  title  of  an  F.  R.  S.  and  leave 


54  REMARKS' ON   THE   AMERICAN 

the  improvement  of  the  arts  and  Icietaces  to  the  literary 
induftry  of  individuals,  who  are  no  academicians. 

P.  443.  "  In  all  debates  on  great  queftions,  the  houfe 
£of  affembly]  refolves  itfelf  into  a  committee  of  the 
whole."  This  is  not  peculiar  to  New  York. 

P.  450.  "  Long  Ifland  extends  a  hundred  and  forty 
miles."  Long  liland  extends  a  hundred  and  eighteen 
miles. 

P.  451.  "  Staten  Ifland  is  about  eighteen  miles  in 
length."  Staten  Ifland  is  about  thirteen  miles  and  a  halt 
in  length. 

P.  466.  "  It  is  remarkable  tbat  in  the  county  of  Cape 
May,  [in  New  Jerfey,]  no  regular  phyfician  has  ever 
found  fupport."  This  wonderful  county  of  Cape  May, 
in  which  the  vermin  of  the  learned  profeffions  can  find 
no  fupport,  is  "  thirty  miles  Jong,  and  nine,  broad.  The 
foil  isa  fandy  barren,  unfit  in  many  parts  for  cultivation ;" 
and  the  inhabitants  are  no  more  than  five  hundred  and 
feventy  one.  Province  town  in  Maflachufetts,  defcribed 
by  Mr.  M.  p.  3,5,5,  contains  nearly  as  many  inhabitants 
as  the  county  of  Cape  May.  No  regular  phyfician  has 
yet  ventured  to  approach  this  favoured  fpot ;  and  what 
is  ftill  more  to  its  honour,  a  lawyer  cannot  live  within 
forty  miles  of  it. 

p.  473.  "  Buffalo  Swamp  is  in  the  north  weflern 
parts  of  Northumberland  county,"  [Pennfylvania.]  if 
this  fwamp  exift  any  where,  it  rnuft  be  in  the  Hate  of 
New  York  ;  where  indeed  Mr.  M.  places  it  in  one  of  his 

maps. 

In  p.  522.  Mr.  M.  begins  to  difcov^r  his  prejudices 
againft  the  fouthern  Hates.  He  gives  a  long  character 
of  the  inhabitants  of  Maryland,  and  defcrihes  them  as 
negligent  in  drefs,  flothful,  and  ignorant.  "  Thefe  obfer- 


UNIVERSAL    GEOGRAPHY.  55 

vations,  however,  (he  adds)  muft  in  juftice  be  limited  to 
the  peopte  in  the  country,  and  to  thofe  particularly, 
whofe  poverty  or  parfimony  prevents  their  fpending  a 
part  of  their  time  in  populous  towns, or  otherwife  ming- 
ling with  the  world.  And  with  thefe  limitations,  they 
will  apply  equally  to  all  the  fouthern  ftates." 

In  his  American  Geography,  p.  353,  Mr.  M.  fpoke 
of  the  inhabitants  of  Baltimore  in  the  following  terms  : 
"There  are  many  very  refpeftable  families  in  Baltimore, 
who  live  genteelj',  are  hofpitable  to  flrangers,  and  main- 
tain a  friendly  and  improving  intercourfe  with  each 
other;  but  the  bulk  of  the  inhabitants,  recently  collected 
from  almofl  all  quarters  of  the  world,  bent  on  the  purfuit 
of  wealth,  varying  in  their  habits,  their  manners,  and 
their  religions,  if  they  have  any,  are  unfocial,  unimprov- 
ed, and  inhofpitable."  This  is  one  of  the  offenfive  paf- 
fages,  which  the  American  Geographer  has  undertaken 
to  meliorate ;  and  the  manner  in  which  he  has  acquitted 
himfelf,  proves  how  unwilling  he  is  to  give  up  any  pre- 
judice which  he  has  once  imbibed.  In  the  prefent  edition, 
he  expreffes  himfelf  thus :  "  There  are  many  very  re- 
fpeftable families  in  Baltimore,  who  live  genteel^,  are 
hofpitable  to  Grangers,  and  maintain  a  friendly  and  im- 
pr.oving  intercourfe  with  each  other;  but  the  bulk  of 
the  inhabitants,  recently  collected  from  almoft  all  quart- 
ers of  the  world,  bent  on  the  purfuit  of  wealth,  varying 
in  their  habits,  their  manners,  and  their  religions,  have 
yet  their  general  charader  to  form."  The  pafTage,  as  it 
now  ftands,  either  means  nothing  ;  or  it  means,  that  the 
bulk  of  the  inhabitants  of  Baltimore  aro  not  hofpitable  to 
flranger.%  and  do  not  maintain  a  friendly  and  improving 
intercourfe  with  each  other;  or,  as  was  before  faid,  tha*. 
they  are  unfociai,  unimproved,  and  inhofpitable. 


56  REMARKS  ON  THE    AMERICAN 

The  defcription  of  Virginia  is  borrowed  principally 
from  Mr.  Jefferfon's  Notes  :  Mr.  M.  has  added  little 
elfethan  feme  illiberal  cenfur.es  on  the  inhabitants. 

P.  ^£1.  "  Every  thing  in  Williamfburgh  appears  dull, 
forfaken,  and  melancholy — no  trade — no  amufements, 
but  the  infamous  one  of  gaming — no  induftry,  and  very 
little  appearance  of  religion."  Thus  minutely  does  the 
Geographer  from  New  England  defcribe  the  character 
of  a  handful  of  people  ;  and  thus  inhumanly  does  he  in- 
fult  the  falling. 

P.  £54,  "  Virginia  prides  itfeH  in  being  The  Ancient 
Dominion."  Such  an  obfervaiion  as  this,  though  tri- 
fling, may  be  characieriftick  of  a  people;  and  if  made 
with  good  humour,  cannot  give  any  reafonable  offence. 
A  Virginian  would  not  be  fufpefted  of  ridiculing  the  in- 
habitants of  New  England,  if  he  fhould  obferve,  That 
they  pride  themfelves  in  fpeaking  the  Englifh  language 
with  greater  purity,  and  pronouncing  it  with  more  pro- 
priety, than  the  H s,  the  J s,  the  M s,  the 

R s,  the  S s,  and  the  W s,  of  the  middle  and 

fouthern  ftates.     See  p.  212,  314. 

P.  frbd'  "  The  government,  though  nominally  repub- 
lican, is,  in  faft,  oligarcha/  or  ariftrocratical." 

"  The  Virginians,  who  are  rick,  are  in  general  fenfiblc, 
polite,  and  hofpitable,  and  of  an  independent  fpirit.  The 
poor  are  ignorant  and  abject — and  are  all  of  an  inquifi- 
tive  turn.  A  confiderable  proportion  of  the  people  are 
much  addifted  to  gaming,  drinking,  fwearing,  horfe  rac- 
ing, cock  fighting,  and  moft  kinds  of  diffipation."  This 
I  believe,  fro»n  the  beft  information  which  I  have  had 
an  opportunity  of  obtaining,  is  much  too  general  a  cen- 
fure. 


3  t» 

UNIVERSAL    GEOGRAPHY.  57 

"The  native  inhabitants  are  too  generally  unacquaint- 
ed with  bufinefs,  owing  to  their  pride  and  falfe  notions 
of  greatnefs." 

"  The  two  houfes  of  alterably  have  the  appointment 
of  delegates  to  Congrefs."  When  Mr.  JefFerfon  wrote 
his  Notes,  this  was  true ;  but  fince  that  time,  the  confti- 
tution  of  the  United  States  has  been  eftablifhed. 

P.  562.  "  Kentucky  contains  five  thoufand  fquare 
miles."  This,  and  every  other  errour  of  the  prefs, 
ought  to  be  acknowledged  in  a  table  of  errata. 

"  Kentucky  is  bounded  fouth  by  North  Carolina." 
Kentucky  is  bounded  fouth  by  the  Tenneflee  Govern- 
ment. See  p.  584. 

P.  563.  "  Cumberland  river,  in  about  half  its  courfe, 
paffes  through  North  Carolina."  This  is  not  confident 
with  what  is  laid  of  this  river,  p.  587. 

P.  ,57,5.  "  Edenton  has  a  brick  church  for  cpifcopali- 
ans,  -which  for  many  years  has  been  much  neglefted, 
and  ferves  only  to  {how  that  the  people  once  had  a  re- 
gard, at  leafr,  for  the  externals  of  religion." 

P.  578,  ,579.  "  The  weftern  parts  of  this  ftate,  [North- 
Carolina,]  are  chiefly  inhabited  by  preibyterians,  and  are 
exceedingly  attached  to  the  doctrine,  difcipline,  and  u- 
fages  of  the  church  of  Scotland.  They  are  a  regular,  in- 
duftrious  people  ;  and  are  in  general  well  fupplied  with 
a  fenfible  and  learned  miniftry. — The  inhabitants  oiE 
Wilmington,  Newbern,  Edenton,  and  Halifax  diftrifts, 
making  about  three  fifths  of  the  ftate,  once  profefiecl 
themfelves  of  the  epifcopal  church."  But  they  *'  feem 
now  to  be  making  the  experiment,  whether  chriflianity 
can  exift  long  in  a  country,  where  there  is  no  vifible  chrif- 
tian  church."  This  reflexion  upon  the  epifcopalians  is 
H 


58  REMARKS    ON    THE    AMERICAN 

copied  from  the  former  edition.  I  have  been  informed 
by  a  New  England  gentleman,  who  has  lived  many  years 
in  Newbern,  that  it  is  as  erroneous,  as  it  is  ungenerous. 

"  There  is  a  very  numerous  body  of  people,  in  this, 
and  in  all  the  fouthern  flates,  who  cannot  properly  be, 
claffed  with  any  fe6l  of  chriftians,  having  never  made 
any  profeffion  of  chriftianity." 

P.  581.  "  The  general  topicks  of  converfation  among 
the  men,  when  cards,  the  bottle,  and  occurrences  of  the 
day  do  not  intervene,  are  negroes,  the  prices  of  indigo, 
rice,  tobacco,  &c."  In  other  parts  of  the  United  States, 
the  general  topicks  of  converfation  among  the  men,  are 
alfo  pleafure,  news,  and  bufinefs. 

"  Temperance  and  induftry  are  not  to  be  reckoned 
among  the  virtues  of  the  North  Carolinians."  Mr.  M. 
knows  that  drunkennefs  is  a  common  vice  in  many  parts 
of  New  England. 

"  The  time  which  they  wafte  in  drinking,  idling,  and 
gambling,  leaves  them  very  little  opportunity  to  improve 
their  plantations  or  their  minds.  The  improvement  of 
the  former  is  left  to  their  overfeers  and  negroes ;  the  im- 
provement of  the  latter  is  too  often  negle&ed." 

"  The  citizens  of  North  Carolina,  who  are  not  better 
employed,  fpend  their  time  in  drinking,  or  gaming  at 
cards  and  dice,  in  cock  fighting  or  horfe  racing."  The 
citizens  of  other  dates,  when  they  are  not  better  employ- 
ed, fpend  their  time  in  idlenefs  and  diffipation. 

Mr.  M.  is  more  fparing  in  his  cenfures  upon  the  in- 
habitants of  South  Carolina  and  Georgia.  Left  I  mould 
be  thought  too  fevere,  I  fhall  omit  the  character  which 
he  formerly  gave  of  the  people  of  the  latter  flate.  It  is 
evident  from  the  paflages  which  I  have  quoted,  that  his 
Hiind  is  not  free  from  local  prejudice.  He  does  ev- 


UNIVERSAL    GEOGRAPHY.  59 

cry  thing  in  his  power  to  raife  the  character  of  the  eaft- 
ern  flates,  Rhode  Ifland  excepted,  and  to  deprefs  that  of 
the  fouthern  ftates.  Should  any  perfon  at  the  fouthward 
undertake  a  new  American  Geography,  I  hope  the  fpirit 
of  retaliation  will  not  lead  him  to  paint  our  faults  in  too 
glowing  colours.  We  fupplicate  for  mercy.  Our 
fellow  citizens  may  be  aflured,  that  there  are  many  per- 
fons  in  New-England,  who  are  as  much  difgufted  as  they 
can  be,  with  Mr.  M.'s  illiberality  andgrofs  mifreprefent- 
ations. 

P.  613.  Mr.  M.  relates,  an  idle  ftory  of  a  fairy  ifland, 
inhabited  by  a  race  of  beautiful  and  hofpitable  women, 
the  daughters  of  the  fun,  whofe  hufbands  are  fierce  men 
and  cruel  to  flrangers.  Thofe  who  endeavour  to  ap- 
proach this  ifland,  are  involved  in  perpetual  labyrinths  ; 
and,  like  enchanted  land,  ftill  as  they  imagine  they  have 
juft  gained  it,  it  feems  to  fly  before  them. — Surely  fuch 
a  fiftion  as  this  ought  not  to  be  admitted  int(^a  book  of  a 
geography. 

P.  61,5.  "  Fredericais  thejSV/?  town  that  was  built  in 
Georgia." — P.  622.  "  Mr.  Oglethorpe,  accompanied 
by  William  Bull,fhortly  after  his  arrival  [at  Charlefton] 
vifited  Georgia,  and  after  reconnoitering  the  country, 
marked  the  fpot  on  which  Savannah  now  ftands,  as  the 
fitteft  to  begin  a  fettlement.  Here  they  accordingly 
began" 

It  is  not  my  intention  at  prefent,  to  make  any  other 
remarks  on  the  firfl  volume  of  the  American  Univerfal 
Geography. 

The  fecond  volume  is  taken  from  Guthrie's  Geograph- 
ical Grammar,  with  additions  from  Zimmerman's  Polit- 
ical Survey,  and  from  other  works.  In  fome  refpefts, 
particularly  in  the  account  of  Ireland,  it  is  an  improve- 


REMARKS    ON    THE     AMERICAN 

ment  upon  the  London  editions  of  Guthrie.  But  it  ap- 
pears to  have  been  compiled  in  a  very  hafty  manner, 
lor  there  are  many  miftakes  in  arrangement,  in  arith- 
metic!;, chronology,  and  geography.  Some  of  thefe  mif- 
takes muft  be  charged  to  Guthrie  ;  and  others,  to  Mr. 
M.  In  this  volume  there  are  three  maps  only,  upon  a 
very  fmall  fcale.  As  particular  maps,  therefore,  are  fo 
cflential  to  a  geographical  grammar,  Mr.  M.  cannot  rea- 
fonably  expea  that  his  compilation  mould  fuperfede  the 
original  work. 

The  Geographical  Table,  at  the  end  of  the  volume,  is 
inconfiftcnt,  imperfecl,  and  inaccurate.  Many  impor- 
tant places  are  omitted  ;  and  the  latitudes  and  longitudes 
cf  thofe  which  are  inferted,  are  frequently  wrong.  Mr. 
M.  ought  not  to  have  t rutted  to  Guthrie;  but  he  ought 
to  have  taken  time  to  compare  this  table  carefully,  with 
the  moft  authentick  maps  which  can  be  procured. 

The  catalogue  of  Men  of  Learning  and  Genius  is  a 
very  imperfect  lift  of  the  literati  of  Europe  and  Ameri- 
ca. Sufficient  honour  is  done  to  Rofcommon,  Creech, 
Whitehead,  and  other  minor  poets  and  trifling  authors, 
whofe  writings  have  contributed  very  little  to  the  knowl- 
edge or  happinefs  of  mankind  :  v/hilft  no  notice  is  taken 
of  fuch  men  as  Grotius,  Le  Clerc,  Lardner,  Price,  Wol- 
lafton,  Bentley,  Jortin,  Pearcc,  and  innumerable  others, 
\vho  have  diftinguifhed  themfelves  in  the  caufe  of  vir- 
tue and  religion.  The  names  of  the  four  latter  are  in 
Guthrie's  catalogue.  The  American  Geographer  mutt- 
have  fome  reafon  for  omitting  them  ;  but  I  am  unable 
to  conjecture  what  it  can  be. 

Mr.  M.  has  added  a  few  American  authors  to  Guth- 
rie's lift.  But  the  firft,  whom  he  has  thought  worthy  of 
being  aflbciated  with  the  "  learned  and  eminent  men"  of 


UNIVERSAL    GEOGRAPHY.  6l 

Europe,  died  no  longer  ago  than  the  year  1747.  For 
his  neglecl  of  the  worthies  who  flourifhed  before  that 
period,  as  well  as  of  fome  good  writers  who  have  appeared 
fince,  no  other  apology  can  be  made,  than  that  he  drew 
up  his  lift  in  fuch  hafte,  that  he  had  not  time  to  refleft 
or  to  inquire.  This  apology  may  latisfy  his  own  mind, 
but  it  will  not  fatisfy  the  publick. 

Though  I  have  freely  cenfured  fo  many  parts  of  Mr. 
M's  woik,  yet  refpecl  for  him  obliges  me  to  fay,  before  I 
conclude,  that  he  does  not  want  abilities,  and  that  he  ap- 
pears to  be  a  friend  to  religion.     He  is   zealous  againit 
vice,  as  well  as  errour.      Bat  hi?  zeal  is.  too  credulous 
and  hafty,   and  is  frequently  ill  timed  and    mifplaced. 
In  a  work  of  another  kind,  Mr.  M.  might  very  prop- 
erly  declaim    againft  drunkennefs,  gaming,    and   even 
herefy.  But  to  lii^en  to  every  exaggerated  account  of  the 
faults  of  a  town  or  Hate,  and  then  to  publifh  it  in  a  fyf- 
tem  of  geography,  may  demonftrate  his  hatred  of  vice, 
but  it  affords    no  proof   of  his    judgment  or   candour. 
With  the  talents  which  Mr.  M.  poffefres,  it  is  in  his  pow- 
er to  render  his  work  much  more  complete  than  it  is  at 
prefent.     But  for  this  purpofe,  he  muft  employ  time  and 
pain;!,  without  which  nothing  excellent  can  ever  be  pro- 
duced. 


THE     END. 


ADDITION  and  CORRECTIONS. 


Page  13.  after  line  18,  infert  the  following  : 

P.  20,  Note.  "  Herfchel  is  about  eighty  times  larger 
than  the  earth,  which  would  make  its  diameter  fix  hun- 
dred and  thirty  feven  thoufand,  fix  hundred  miles." 
The  diameter  of  the  earth  being  feven  thoufand,  nine 
hundred,  and  feventy  miles,  if  the  diameter  of  Herfchel 
be  fix  hundred  and  thirty  feven  thoufand,  fix  hundred 
miles,  it  muft  be  five  hundred  and  twelve  thoufand  times 
larger  than  the  earth. 

P.  16,  /.  8,  from  hot.  read  Sebaftian. 

P.  25,  and  in  other  places,  r.  univerfalifts. 

P.  27,  /.  17,  r.  congregationalifls. 


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